Today our team saw 55 patients in clinic and performed 8 surgeries. I was happy that the first patient I saw spoke French fluently, so that I could communicate with her. Unfortunately, the other patients only spoke Bambara, so we were very grateful to have our amazing interpreters who all wear orange shirts. It was a pleasure to meet our patients and their families. Our armed guards! The mosque at the hospital The hospital mascot?
On Thursday we saw 10 patients in clinic and performed 8 surgeries and on Friday we saw 3 patients in clinic and performed 6 surgeries. Overall we have seen 122 patients and performed 39 surgeries this week. Most of the surgeries have been to treat severe pelvic prolapse and large uterine fibroids. We are very grateful for our Bambara to English interpreters! We were able to scrub with Malian surgeons on many of the cases. Cathryn was able to provide instruction for one of the patients going home regarding the Days for Girls kits that each postoperative patient received. We toured the maternity unit and also met a family who had a baby last week who unfortunately has a significant birth defect. We are hopeful that the Pediatric surgery she will need is available in Bamako, the capital city.
We are grateful that all of our bins with our surgical supplies arrived with us. Last night we organized the supplies and set up our kitchen with the food we brought. We met our amazing in country team mambers and got some much needed sleep.
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