Due to the civil unrest in Madagascar, the planned ENT team visit in October was cancelled. After discussions with Hargeisa Group Hospital (HGH) in Somaliland, two team members – ENT Surgeon, Dr Latif Kadhim, and Theatre Nurse, Marika Brandtberg – were welcomed at the hospital, to complete an ENT scoping study, and provide medical services and training. Thanks Latif and Marika for your flexibility and commitment to our overseas medical assignments program.
Working with the HGH ENT Department, 172 clinic consultations were and 45 surgical procedures, including 15 children. A wide range of procedures were performed including endoscopic sinus surgeries, ear surgeries and emergency interventions.
Training was a major part of this assignment, with Latif providing mentoring and training to the ENT surgeon, Dr Mohammed Ahmed Farah, an ADFA scholarship recipient who completed his 4 years of specialty training in Ethiopia in December 2023. He was joined by a 2nd year trainee, who returned from Ethiopia specifically to receive training from the ADFA team. Marika provided hands on training to the theatre nurses and staff. The commitment and eagerness of all staff to learn, greatly contributed to the success of the mission. The team carried a large amount of ENT equipment and supplies, which was donated to the hospital.
Thanks to Eleanor at Karl Storz; Sam at Tomlin Medical; and the team at West Coast ENT for supporting this assignment with equipment discounts and donations.
ADFA acknowledges support for its Somaliland programs from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
