For the first time, an ADFA Orthopaedic team visited CHU D’Andrainjato, a major public hospital in Fianarantsoa, which is a bumpy 12 hour drive south of the capital, Antananarivo.  Australian Doctors for Africa have been working with this hospital for many years, supporting their Clubfoot Clinic and Endoscopy Unit, and provided equipment for the new Trauma Centre in 2023.

Gratitude to the volunteer team of orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Li-On Lam; theatre nurses, Lucy Harris and Lucy Devenish; logistics/support, Cherrie Genat, and Orthopaedic Registrar, Dr Stephanie O’Brien, for their dedication to our Madagascar program.

Over 9 working days the team completed a huge 139 consultations, 15 major surgeries, daily ward rounds, and hands-on training and mentoring for medical staff.  The team were well supported by Lucile (ADFA staff) and Gaetan (translator) who travelled from Toliara.  Orthopaedic instruments and implant sets were also donated to the hospital.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the support you provided during our recent humanitarian mission carried out with the ADFA team. We were able to operate on many patients.  Your assistance was invaluable and helped to improve the lives of these many patients in need. Our two teams worked together with a wonderful collaboration, and ADFA’s team was very awesome.”, Prof Randriamanantena, Hospital Director. 

Thanks to Fiona Stanley Hospital, Smith & Nephew, and Reliance Surgical for donating Orthopaedic instruments and implant sets.

ADFA acknowledges support for its Madagascar programs from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), St John of God Subiaco Hospital, Base Toliara, Evion Group/BlackEarth Minerals Madagascar and Air Mauritius.