Africa Cries Out Report 2023008 The gynecology team removed a large uterine fibroid

Author Xu Jun, March 20, 2023

In May 2022, I received a phone call from Professor Xuezhi Jiang, an obstetrician and gynecologist based in Philadelphia. During our conversation, Professor Jiang expressed a keen interest in the work and mission of Africa Cries Out and without hesitation, confirmed his commitment to join the team and travel to Senegal the following year.

Professor Jiang has been actively involved in providing free gynecological surgeries in Nigera and other African countries since 2012. Despite the challenging conditions, he has performed procedures such as uterine fibroid removal in makeshift settings such as classroom desks, and carried out total hysterectomies under limited anesthesia conditions.

To kickstart our efforts, our first priority was to assemble a skilled and dedicated surgical team. Given the high demand for gynecological surgeries in Senegal, it was clear that we needed additional obstetricians and gynecologists on board. Professor Jiang promptly recommend Dr. Rebecca Wu, his chief resident, who readily accepted our invitation to join our team.

However, we still needed to secure the services of anesthesiologists to ensure safe and successful surgeries. We reached out for help on social network platforms such as WeChat groups and were fortunate to receive quick responses from Dr. Rong Zhao from Jersey Shore Hospital in New Jersey, Dr. Cong He from Manhattan, New York, Dr. Haibin Wang from Meadville Medical Center in Pennsylvania, and Dr. Shiyao Wang from the emergency department in Singapore. With their expertise and generosity, our gynecological surgical team was officially formed.

From left to right, Cathrine Do, Daniel Jiang, Rebecca Wu, Rong Zhao, Cong He, Nathan Jiang, Shiyao Wang

Drawing from Professor Jiang’s extensive experience in Africa, we learned that surgeries such as uterine fibroid removals can be performed in a simple and efficient manner. All we needed was a classroom or conference room, where spinal anesthesia could be administered, and we could start the procedure. African patients have remarkable pain tolerance and impressive self-healing abilities, which made the surgeries smooth and successful.

However, in Senegal, we faced an unexpected challenge. Despite the departure of French colonial rulers, their legal system remained intact, and our base hospital lacked the necessary surgical qualifications to perform procedures. As a result, we needed to explore alternative options and seek approval from other medical facilities to carry out our mission.

To overcome this obstacle, we quickly reached out to a regional hospital in Dakar. After several rounds of negotiations, they graciously agreed to allow us to use their operating room and provided a surgical nurse to assist us with the procedures. They also offered assistance in identifying patients and providing postoperative care. Our primary objective was to treat patients who were in genuine need and financially disadvantaged. Additionally, we were mindful that nothing comes for free, and we paid the hospital $400 for each patient treated.

Dr. Rong Zhao, Dr. Cong He, and Dr. Jiang sprang into action and began purchasing the necessary drugs and equipment for the trip. We would like to utilize high-quality American equipment and drugs as much as possible to ensure that the surgery was of the high standard. However, despite our best efforts, some of the drugs and surgical equipment were delayed. Thankfully, Dr. Haibin Wang, Dr. Cong He, and Dr. Rong Zhao took swift action and reached out to their respective hospitals for support. They were able to secure the vital drugs and equipment that we needed to proceed with the surgeries. In a display of generosity and solidarity, Dr. Jiang’s hospital also donated a batch of equipment to our team free of charge. However, we still faced a shortfall of spinal anesthesia drugs, a critical component of the procedure. In a stroke of luck, Dr. Xiaohui Fan saw our emergency call for assistance and graciously donated ten bottles of 0.75% Bupivacaine. Additionally, Dr. Xian Li generously donated a brand new autoclave to further aid our efforts. We are incredibly grateful for their assistance and support.

During the team’s visit to the hospital on Saturday, March 17th, we evaluated 14 patients who were recommended by the hospital. After careful consideration and evaluation, we determined that 10 patients met our selection criteria and truly required the surgery. After that, we scheduled the surgery dates to ensure that the patients received the care they required as soon as possible.

Dr. Zhao Rong is administering anesthesia.

Dr. Jiang and Dr. Wu are removing uterine fibroids.

In addition to performing surgeries, the gynecological surgical team had another important task – to train local doctors. Here, Dr. Jiang is teaching local resident physicians during the surgery.

Dr. Wu is performing surgery.

A large uterine fibroid is being removed.

Nathan, who aspires to become a doctor, seized the opportunity to learn from his elders about hardworking, dedicated, and humble attitude towards medicine, and has benefited greatly.

Our gynecological team and local doctors

Dr. Zhao Rong and Dr. Sylla

Dr. Wang Shi-Yao is removing a skin mole

Patients are waiting outside the operating room.

Our gynecological team has provided lifelong benefits to numerous patients, particularly those who cannot afford the surgery and are unable to bear the suffering caused by their diseases. Our team generously donates their time, and our philanthropists contribute funds to support patients’ surgeries, using their love to make a positive impact on the world. Let us take action together, spread love, assist those in need, and inspire positive change within ourselves.

Editor in charge: Liu Hui, Guo Yuanchun