ADFA - Newsletter (4th Edition, March 2009)

March 2009 Newsletter 4th Edition

Welcome to the Fourth Edition of our Newsletter...

Australian Doctors for Africa is now into its fourth year and looking back over the past few years we feel very proud of what a small dedicated team has been able to achieve. Nothing we have accomplished could have come to fruition without the help of our members, medical staff and volunteers. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and hope that you will be inspired by what you read and feel proud of the difference your assistance makes to so many lives.

With the uncertainty of the current global financial climate the next twelve months could be a difficult time for charities and their fund raising programs. With this in mind, ADFA will have to work even harder to be able to achieve our goals for 2009. Challenges seem to be our forte though, as in the early days sending a sea container filled with medical supplies seemed an impossible task. ADFA has now sent 8 sea containers in total. Robert continues to work hard on our sea containers project. We aim to send sea containers to each of the regions we visit during 2009. Recently we have received a number of excellent quality hospital beds donated from various Perth hospitals throughout WA who are currently upgrading the ward beds. Along with the beds, we have received used mattresses in good condition and a number of new mattresses. This is a fantastic donation and will be put to good use, especially for the new hospital wards at the Bosaso Hospital. Our thanks go to the staff members at the various hospitals who have assisted in acquiring and transporting these beds and mattresses.

SOMALIA - HARGEISA

Donated plates for internal fixation of fractures

A volunteer medical team consisting of Dr Tim Keenan Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Emma Giles Anaesthetist and Victoria Gibson Theatre Nurse visited Hargeisa in May 2008. The team met with Dr Yaseem who worked with them at the Hargeisa Hospital. Approximately 130 patients were seen and 19 operations were carried out over an eight day period. The volunteer medical team personally carried as much surgical equipment as possible for the trip. Comminuted fractures, old supracondylar fractures in children and Talipes surgery was performed. The plates and screws taken to Hargeisa by the ADFA team allowed these procedures to be carried out. This surgery allows patients to function normally instead of being forever disabled. The team continued operating until such time as they ran out of surgical equipment.

Victoria Gibson spent many hours sorting and sterilizing instruments and preparing surgical packs ready for the next operating session. She taught the local nurses sterilizing techniques, cleaning and preparation of instruments and theatre ready for surgery. Victoria gave the theatre nurses excellent guidance and left the theatre and instruments well organised for the local staff to carry on with once she left.

Dr Keenan, Dr Giles and Victoria Gibson

Dr Keenan & Dr Giles visited and taught the medical students at the medical school in Hargeisa during their visit.

In Hargeisa, through the efforts of Dr Rod Thelander and Dr Emma Giles from Australian Doctors for Africa, an association has been developed with the University of Western Australia School of Medicine, and the Dean Professor Ian Puddey, to provide assistance to the Medical School in Hargeisa.

Since the ADFA visit in May a letter has been received from the government in Hargeisa inviting Australian Doctors for Africa to return to Hargeisa and continue the good work.

A visit by Dr Rod Thelander, Dr Gary Hastwell and Professor David Allbrook representing ADFA and UWA are planned for late March 2009. The purpose of the trip is to further develop the relationship between the two medical schools.

A return trip by a working medical team is planned for 2009.

BOSASO

Dr Abdulaahi, the Medical Director of the Bosaso Hospital, was sponsored by ADFA to come to Perth in August 2008 to discuss, plan and seek financial assistance for the three new wards which are to be built onto the existing hospital in Bosaso. This project is vital as the existing wards have been standing since 1937 and are now dysfunctional. ADFA has made a commitment to give financial assistance and provide medical equipment for the new wards. The demolition of the old wards commenced in January 2009. This is an enormous project for ADFA to be involved in, and taking into account the distance, there will be some very tricky logistics to deal with along the way. However, we are confident we will be able to make a constructive and positive contribution to the new wards.

Due to unrest in Somalia ADFA did not send a team to Bosaso in November 2008 as planned, but a trip is scheduled for 2009. ADFA sees the safety of voluntary medial teams as high priority and even though we know there are people waiting for our help, we put the safety of our Perth families first.

Meanwhile we continue to work on projects such as the purchase of the Cholera Vaccine for the second stage of the immunisation program we started for the Bosaso Hospital staff.

Recently you may have seen media reports on unrest and atrocities taking place in Somalia which we find unacceptable. This makes people question the aid given by ADFA or any aid organisation to Somalia and countries alike. In any third world country, there are innocent people who are desperate, but do not have the power to overcome the people and events who create the turmoil in their country. They have to survive and look after their children the best they can. Organisations like ADFA try to choose a region that is trouble free and offer unconditionally, medical care, medical aid and medical education. In doing this, the local people's daily live improve immediately, and maybe one day they will have a better way of life long term, due to the care and help they have received from ADFA. They can only do this if they are healthy. ADFA is very careful to give their help in the form of working medical teams and medical aid and education. We do not give cash that could be used for other projects, groups or organisations that could use the funds inappropriately. We have very strict guidelines as to how your donations are used for the countries we visit. Sometimes in life we have to accept that there is bad, but this should not stop us from trying to give help to those who are not in a position to change their own lives.

Children in Somalia are the same as here in Australia, they only want good health, a peaceful and happy life.

Giving hope to Somalian children...

...when I grow up I want to be a Sea Captain

...when I grow up I want to be a Doctor and a Pilot.

ETHIOPIA

A visit from the 10th - 24th July 2008 was made by Dr Graham Forward who went to the Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa to meet with Dr Paul Baxt from Orthopaedics Overseas. The outcome of this trip was to find a way forward for overseas volunteers at the Black Lion Hospital to work in unison with the local medical staff at the hospital. Meetings were held with Dr Graham Forward, Dr Paul Baxt and hospital staff. The Black Lion is underfunded and overwhelmed, but remains the largest referral hospital in Ethiopia and the main teaching hospital providing a multiplier effect for visitor's efforts to train residents.

It was agreed that under the leadership of Dr Graham Forward, programs for the Black Lion Hospital will be co-ordinated for all overseas volunteers. Dr Forward has made an assessment and compiled an eleven page report that can be read on the ADFA website www.ausdocafrica.org or you may ring the ADFA office for a copy if you are interested.

Robert Forward accompanied Dr Graham Forward to Ethiopia for a week. A new orthopaedic hospital has been built next to the Black Lion Hospital, but has not been fully equipped as yet. The ADFA team met with the head of the hospital and plans were made for a sea container filled with medical equipment to be sent in October 2008 to the new orthopaedic hospital. Goods such as ward beds and mattresses, Zimmer frames, wheelchairs and anti bacterial disinfectant was sent.

Robert then left Ethiopia for Dubai where he visited the port of Jebel Ali and spent a few days making contact with shipping and sea container agents.

Plans were made by ADFA for the purchase of hemi-arthroplasty prostheses from a company in India (this is the most reliable and economical source) for the Black Lion Hospital. These prostheses have arrived in Addis Ababa. A return visit by ADFA in March 2009 will take palce for 2 orthopaedic surgeons and an orthopaedic technician. At this time a full inventory and assessment of orthopaedic prostheses and equipment will be compiled, and a plan put in place for further purchases of orthopaedic equipment by ADFA for the Black Lion Hospital. Our technician will teach and assist the local staff in the management, use, sterilization, storage and ordering of orthopaedic equipment. The surgeons will consult, operate and teach during their visit. There are many hemi-arthroplasty patients awaiting surgery in Addis Ababa, so hopefully ADFA can assist the local doctors in achieving this surgery over the next 12 months.

Dr Graham Forward will continue to lead and co-ordinate visits by overseas volunteer medical teams, developing a realistic plan and working program during the next 3-5 years, until such time as the local staff can manage and maintain the program themselves.

MADAGASCAR

Rhys Clarke, Graham Forward, Hannah Forward & Scott McKay leaving Perth

The ADFA team of Dr Graham Forward Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Digby Cullen Gastroenterologist, Kelly Pryde Theatre Nurse and Scott McKay Plaster Technician/Nurse visited Toliara from the 13-27th October 2008.

Hannah Forward and Rhys Clark, Notre Dame Medical Students paid their own airfares and joined the team to do their final year elective, and were valuable members of the team as young trainee doctors. Since this trip Hannah & Rhys have completed their final medical exams and have commenced work at SCGH. Hannah was Dux of her year, and both Hannah and Rhys won awards of excellence. Congratulations to them both.

On arrival the ADFA team met with Dr Daniel to consolidate the work program and budget for the next two weeks in Toliara. Graham, Scott and Kelly worked with Dr Adam in Orthopaedics/Talipes at the Centre Hospitalier de Reference Toliara (CHRR) and with the physiotherapist at the Akany Fanantenana Clinic where 15 children were treated with serial plastering, tendo-achilles releases and plantar fascia release.

Dr Graham Forward performing a tendon release assisted by Kelly Pryde and Rhys Clarke

The limited surgery was done under local anaesthetic and sedation, and follow up treatment will be carried out by Dr Adams. The Tailpes program is underway and the local medical staff are learning and using the Ponsetti method so they can continue with treatments in between ADFA visits.

The Talipes program is extremely beneficial to the people of Madagascar because if Talipes is detected and corrected in the very young it prevents further disabilities and surgery for these children later in life.

Dr Cullen performing and teaching Colonoscopy

Digby, Hannah and Rhys worked in gastroenterology/ general medicine at the Clinique St Luc and the CCHR where they consulted 200 patients giving, medical advice and dietary advice, medication including triple therapy, endoscopy and colonoscopy.

The staff and hospitals are responding well to the education and aid given by ADFA. It is very rewarding to see the progress being made each time the teams return.

Financial assistance from Toliara Sands (a mining company in Madagascar) enabled many local people to be treated who otherwise would not be able to afford treatment during ADFA's visit. Toliara Sands paid the local hospitals and clinics directly for extra drugs and tests performed by ADFA's voluntary medical team.

Return visits have been scheduled for 2009. It is very important to continue this Talipes program and for ADFA to continue providing medical aid to the hospital.

ADFA & THE MADAGASCAN GOVERNMENT

Tiana and Dr Graham Forward in Madagascar

Even though Madagascar is classed as a third world country and has much poverty, it does have a government which is working hard to better their country. The government appreciates very much the help given by ADFA and would like us to continue providing voluntary medical work, education and supplies to their country. However, as does the Australian Government have very strict guidelines as to who may work and live in their country, so does the Madagascan government. As a Non Government Organisation, ADFA was required to have an agreement with the Madagascan Government to work voluntarily in Madagascar. This is a very positive and necessary request, because it means that medical care given in Madagascar is from qualified and registered practitioners. ADFA has a Madagascan representative Tiana Andrianarijaona who voluntarily acts on behalf of ADFA in Madagascar. Tiana is an educated lady who speaks 3 languages, works full time and has two young sons. She liaised and met with the Madagascan government lodging the necessary paperwork for the formal agreement between ADFA and the Madagascan Government. Tiana lives in the capital Antananarivo, and works for a mining company called Toliara Sands, who are very supportive of Tiana and the time she gives voluntarily to ADFA. It is positive to see a mining company working in a third world region giving something constructive back to the local people. ADFA could not achieve the amount of work accomplished in Madagascar without the generous contribution from Toliara Sands. We are extremely grateful to Tiana and Muriella (our other Madagascan volunteer) for the assistance they give us in Madagascar.

Tiana works in conjunction with Christine Tasker (ADFA Perth office) in the organisation of the visiting medical teams to Madagascar. They co-ordinate interpreters, advertising, transport and registration of visiting doctors and working schedules.

FUNDRAISING

ADFA will hold their annual "Lapathon" on Sunday 17th May 2009. Please mark this date in your diary now. Registration will be held at Wesley College in South Perth followed by a walk from the Coode Street Jetty South Perth along the water front to the Narrows Bridge and back. We would really appreciate your support by nominating to be a "team captain" or a participant in the walk on the day. If you wish to be a team captain or would like to walk please contact our office on 9321 5480 for further information. Our aim is to raise $40,000 so we really need your help. You can take this opportunity to get your daily exercise, socialise with friends and raise money for a worthy cause.

The Bosaso Hospital Fundraising Project is well underway. To date approximately $30,000 has been raised, by way of the purchase of a "Unit" to the value of $1,000, donations for specified building supplies such as cement, tiles, window frames etc and a nominated donation for the Bosaso Hospital on our membership renewal forms.

MEMBERSHIPS

November is renewal time for your annual membership. We value your membership to ADFA and hope that you will see fit to rejoin.

If you have a social or work group that you think would be interested in becoming involved, we have a very professional DVD produced by Cale Bell and fellow students from the media department of Curtin University illustrating the work of ADFA. We would be happy to give a presentation and show the DVD.

PROJECTS FOR 2009

Send five medical teams to work in Madagascar, Ethiopia/Hargeisa & Bosaso
Freight three sea containers filled with medical equipment
Purchase and send 70 cholera vaccines for a second dose for staff at Bosaso Hospital
Purchase plaster for the Talipes Program and anti bacterial solution for hospitals
Provide Insurance for ADFA x 12 mths

The anticipated budget for our program for 2009 is approximately $157,000, so you can see why our members and donors are so important to the organisation. We cannot do this alone.

VOLUNTEERS

Our management committee work tirelessly organising trips, medical supplies, fund raising and the completing the never ending paperwork. We have the support of many good people who assist behind the scenes in keeping things turning over. Liz Owens assists in the office on a Wednesday morning with secretarial work. Jill Newby has joined in with office work more recently, and assists Robert with some of his projects.

Jenny Owens, Christine Tasker & Jeanne Bell have been working for several months on the AusAid application which is a long and arduous process. They have had advice and direction from Peter Whyte (retired lawyer) who submitted an application to AusAid on behalf of Wheel Chair for Kids. His professional advice has been invaluable to us. Wheel Chair for Kids has donated a large of number of wheel chairs for our sea containers. These chairs are extremely helpful to the general hospitals and the centres running the Talipes program. Up until now, wheel chairs were almost nonexistent in many of the regions we visit. The kids think their new wheels are great!

David Cribb is a regular helper at the storage shed in Claremont with the collection and delivery of donated goods and the loading of sea containers. The Perth Apex Club continues to help pack the sea containers at the shed. We appreciate very much their time, hard work and ongoing contribution.

There are many quiet achievers around the state collecting medical supplies, assisting with small projects and generating donations which all help to make our plans and project come to fruition. A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to ADFA over the last year, we could not achieve what do without you.