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Mission Report: Mali - 2009

Between November 28 and December 7, the GSF team was working at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Gabriel Touré. For many of our volunteers, this was their second mission to Mali.

Our comprehensive team consisted of: 4 Surgeons, 3 Anesthesiologists, 2 OR nurses, 1 PACU nurse, 1 Postoperative Nurse, 1 Pediatric dentist, 1 Speech Therapist, 3 Support staff, and 1 local coordinator.

Working as a team, we accomplished the following:

  • 120 patients screened
  • 51 cleft lip operations performed (compared to 39 surgical cases performed in 2007)
  • 8 tooth extractions performed
  • 19 dental procedures performed

We participated in the following educational activities:

  • 4 lectures delivered by the surgical, anesthesia & speech therapy staff to the local medical community
  • Hands-on training throughout the surgical week: local surgeons assisted & observed all procedures
  • Smile Train Educational DVD provided to Malian surgeons along with journals, books & CD’s

Committed to the local staff, GSF donated the following medical equipment:

  • A Nelcor Pulse Oximeter
  • A variety of medications including oral and intravenous antibiotics and anesthetics.

We have formed a special partnership with the Mali Lions Club and have begun working with the Ministry of Health. Moreover, GSF and the Peace Corps have begun a working relationship in order to increase patient recruitment. A special thanks to the Smile Train for making this mission possible.