“This foreign aid trip is not only a challenge in my career, but also an opportunity for me to fulfill my long time desire to contribute to others.”

 

The determination to cross tens of thousands of miles

 

On March 16, 2024, I was on vacation visiting my friend, Dr. Xie Ya, who had traveled all the way from Germany, and I found out that she was heading to Senegal, Africa the next day to participate in an international medical healthcare mission. I quickly decided that I would love to join her. Since I have more than 20 years of clinical experience in obstetrics and gynecology, I knew I could provide essential medical services and support to the local women.

As a doctor who has worked in the field of obstetrics and gynecology for a long time, I have stood countless times in front of the operating table, using my hands to help female patients recover their health and keep them away from the pain of disease.

I understand that women’s healthcare conditions in many countries still face severe challenges. I have always believed that the benefit of medicine can reach many individuals in need. I reached out to Dr. Jun Xu, the founder of the Africa Cries Out Foundation in the United States, and Dr. Daniel Jiang, who is the head of the team, for my visa application process.

Miss Xi Wang, the project manager in China, called me and asked, “The ticket prices are the highest they’ve been all year. Are you still going?” “Absolutely!” 24 hours later, I was on my way to Senegal.

 

Arrival in Senegal

 

I arrived in Senegal past midnight, and just a few hours and a quick nap after I arrived, we – other volunteer obstetrician-gynecologists & anesthesiologists, together with Dr. Daniel Jiang, our team leader, traveled to Fatick, 150 kilometers away from Dakar. I became part of the surgical team.

                        The surgical team consists of obstetrician-gynecologists and anesthesiologists from China, Germany, and the USA.

 

The challenging operating rooms

 

There is always a significant gap between ideal and reality. Although I was aware of the poverty in Africa, I still had various speculations about the situation I was about to face.

We were aware that Senegal (located at the westernmost part of Africa with a population of 16 million) was among the least developed nations in the world and was greatly lacking medical resources, but when I entered the surgery room at Fatick Regional Hospital, the minimalism of the equipment was shocking and the condition of the room even more so. The paint was peeling off the walls, the tabletops were covered in dust while the floor was partially covered with uncollected instruments, syringes and needles. Two huge air purifiers were in the doorway, old medical equipment cluttered the room, and blood stains were vaguely visible. The doors to the room were so badly damaged that they could not be closed.

                                                                             Unorderly operating room.

 

                                                                               The ceiling of the operating room.

 

                                                                             The operating room door cannot be closed.

 

Most concerning was the vulnerability of the patients during surgery; the surgeons had to frequently stop to swat away insects that were attracted into the blood.

There were numerous challenges to overcome before we could provide the medical excellence that they deserved. Besides the lack of medical and surgical supplies, the instability of the power supply with frequent outages during operations exacerbated the situation.

                                                                  Mosquitoes on the operating table during the surgery.

 

Faced with these challenges, we feel a heavy responsibility that drives us to constantly innovate, seeking more efficient and locally appropriate treatment techniques. The team members held several discussions, particularly on how to prevent cross-infection, to improve the quality of the operations.

In the circumstances described above, the prevention of infection is just as important as the treatment of the disease. Therefore, greater emphasis has been placed on post-operative monitoring and medication dosing. Doctors and nurses are required to personally care for patients after surgery. Although the surgical conditions in Senegal are not ideal, it is essential to ensure the success and safety of the operations.

 

Overcoming the difficulties of surgical conditions

The incidence of uterine fibroids in African women is reported to be 3 to 9 times higher than in women in other regions, particularly in Senegal. Among those who do receive treatment, the incidence of multiple uterine fibroids, breast fibroids and ovarian cysts is higher than in China. Unpredictable factors also contribute to the difficulty of treatment due to lagging medical standards and delayed treatment. However, surgery remains the best option for majority of the cases.

 

Facing a highly challenging total hysterectomy

One story captures the delicate situation and the efforts we make to serve the needy well.  A 40-year-old patient with multiple uterine fibroids, which had grown to the level of the umbilicus also had symptoms of irregular bleeding, leading to severe anemia with a hemoglobin level of 80g/L. Such cases are not uncommon in Senegal, but the lack of medical resources often prevents patients from receiving timely treatment. In this case, despite the lack of surgical equipment, the team devised a sensible plan and successfully performed a hysterectomy on the patient. They also provided meticulous post-operative care. The patient was extremely grateful for the care she received.

 

A case of third to fourth degree perineal lacerations was another challenge to me

During my service in Senegal, another issue that needed to be addressed was complications arising from childbirth. Here is a specific case: an 18-year-old girl suffered a third-degree perineal laceration after childbirth. Such cases are extremely rare in the United States and similarly rare in China. This is because patients undergo comprehensive pre-delivery examinations and preventive measures are taken. Even in special cases, patients receive timely and appropriate treatments during childbirth. However, in regions with limited medical resources, addressing such issues becomes a challenge. Nevertheless, I was able to proceed with surgical treatment for this patient and give her the care she needed.

 

Carry on and spread hope

This trip to Senegal is not only a rescue mission for the lives of others, but also a redemption of my own soul. It has given me a greater sense of purpose and vision. It has taught me that the commitment of being a healer is not only about curing, but also about igniting hope and spreading love to others.

 

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If you feel moved to support our ministry in Africa, please contact us：

Jun Xu’s WeChat: jun9174343767

Email: Africacriesout@gmail.com

Public WeChat account: LifeExploring (人生天路)

Website: https://africacriesout.net

 

Editors in charge: Cao Juanjuan, Zhang Kun

Translator: Zhi Hua Duan

English editor: Xi Wang

Editor: Doris Cruz