Team Updates

Dr. Jennifer Wilson, in Ghana with a team of over 40 other medical professionals, continues to update us on their progress as she has access to technology and free time.

The medical team is doing a lot of work and the sense of teamwork is great. The bus ride home is quite noisy with laughter and singing … even after working hard all day in the heat!

The medical team wrapped up their second day in Nyamboi yesterday.  They were able to see everyone who came and didn’t need to turn anyone away. While they were Nyamboi, a young boy collapsed, unconscious with severe malaria.  After a few hours with IV fluids and antimalarials he was well enough to go home.

The dental team is very busy, often pulling multiple teeth per patient.  When they finished in Nyamboi they were honoured with a ceremony where they were presented with vegetables and their first ram of the trip.

Today in Yaara the medical team saw many untreated ailments. The area is so remote that most people just live with their sickness. The team had a whole tent full of patients to see the surgeon to get on the hernia list for 2010!

The surgical team is making great progress and is repairing around 30 hernias each day. Some patients have two hernias so this really represents about 20 patients per day.

Unfortunately some team members are dealing with travel-related sickness.  Four team members had to stay back yesterday and one today.  The four who were sick yesterday were back at work today, so the bug is unpleasant but brief. Please remember the health of the team members in your prayers.

Dr. Jennifer Wilson, in Ghana with a team of over 40 other medical professionals, continues to update us on their progress as she has access to technology and free time.  This morning she was able to send home a brief update while on the bus to Nyamboi.

Yesterday the medical team held what was to be a small NEA staff clinic.  The clinic ran until after dark last night and they saw over 300 people.

Laila Bishara diagnosed six people with diabetes. Laila is off to Wenchi today to run a diabetic clinic, where she will be very busy.

The hernia team completed several surgeries yesterday and was already operating when the medical/dental team left for Nyamboi.  The teams are all working very well together.

Please pray that the team members can quickly get used to the heat and maintain their strength.

Dr. Jennifer Wilson, coordinator of the Uxbridge Medical team that is spending two weeks with NEA in Northern Ghana, has confirmed that everyone is safely at the home base in Carpenter.

Their voyage from Toronto to Carpenter went smoothly. Despite having ninety-five bags of medical supplies, each weighing 50 lbs, their check-in at the airport was well-organized and fast. The members reported that once airport security had confirmed that the contents of their luggage matched the description they provided, they were allowed to pass through very quickly. In fact, much of their time with security was spent in sharing their perspectives on the H1N1 virus.

The team is ready to begin work in Carpenter and the surrounding areas today. They are working with an Operation Hernia team from the UK, and already the teams are coordinating very well together.

As the doctors find time and access to technology to send updates, they will be posted here, so check back often.

Please continue to pray for the medical team and supporting staff, particularly for:

• health for the medical team members
• stamina for the medical team and the NEA staff supporting them, as these two weeks are busy and physically exhausting
• strength and health for the patients whom they serve, that their recoveries are quick and uncomplicated
• that residents of the communities in Northern Ghana might know the love of God as a result of this practical service

A team of 46 medical professionals departs for Ghana on October 31st.  During their two weeks in Carpenter, this group of surgeons, physicians, and nurses will be performing surgeries that are otherwise unavailable.  They will also train local health professionals and lead some community health education sessions.

This is an exciting and busy time for everyone — we would appreciate your prayers for safety, stamina, and health.  Stay tuned for more updates.