SCREENING DAY!

February 1^st, 2012 was a life changing day for many West Africans, both Togolese and those travelling from beyond its borders.  It was a long anticipated day for everyone involved with months of strategic planning, preparation and coordination.  I am more than pleased to report that things went smoothly from start to finish and the level of teamwork was overwhelming to say the least. It will certainly be a day none of us will forget! I am sure of that!!

 Between 3500-4000 Africans lined up along side the walls of Kegue Stadium in Lome, Togo, where approximately 300 Mercy Ships volunteer crew conducted a medical screening….and ultimately a chance for healing.  Some had arrived the night before to claim a spot in line in hopes of receiving a yellow card and ultimately a surgical date.  Pre-pre screening began the evening before where medical personnel spend hours deciding whether individuals met our surgical criteria to continue in the screening process.  The main surgical specialties this field service includes maxillo facial surgery, plastic surgery (i.e.  burn contracture releases), general surgery (i.e. Hydroceles and Hernias), and VVF repairs (Vesicovaginal Fistula Repair).

Starting at 0430 the first convoy of eleven Land Rovers left the port on route for Kegue Stadium.  This meant for an early wake up at 0330 to fit in breakfast and go.  As we approached the stadium grounds, I sat in silence at the sight of thousands of people patiently waiting in line. Through the darkness you could see their vibrant colored clothing and eager demeanor. After pre-pre screening over 200 people, approximately 100 spent the entire night waiting in line, while hundreds more started to gather between 0300-0330.  The night crew had a challenging job of weaning those not suitable for surgery with the mere light of a head lamp.  Once we arrived just after 0500 the Land Rovers headed back to the ship to pick up the next group.  As part of the history-taking group (12-14 nurses), we set up our stations and got orientated to the area. 

As people progressed through the various screening stations, 1609 people entered the first gate and were pre-screened.  Gates closed between noon and 1 pm with 574 people proceeding from pre-screening to registration, and onto history-taking.  Here our role was to take patient’s vital signs and ask a set up various health related questions.  Each nurse was paired up with a translator who could speak English, French and Ewe.  These men and women are West African people who have been hired by Mercy Ships as day workers (on & off ship). Let me just say that these are absolutely incredible people and we would honestly not be able to do our jobs as nurses/medical personnel without them!!  I will admit that I was a bit nervous and perhaps somewhat skeptical in how effective one can communicate through a translator.  Consistent with the saying, “lost in translation”.  With that said, my translator on Screening Day was amazing and his approach/ presence with people whether young or old, male or female was inspiring.  He reminded me of the power of communication, language and culture…..and to have a little more faith in what is meant to be!

After completing the patient history, patients were escorted to the designated specialty area (general, plastics or facial) to be seen by a physician for a more comprehensive assessment.  From there some got blood work done by phlebotomy while some others had needle biopsies done by a crew pathologist to determine whether tumors were benign or malignant.  After data was collected and entered into the computer system, 475 people had been scheduled for surgery, x-rays, CT scans and/or further lab tests.  Those people received an unfathomable opportunity for further medical investigation onboard the Africa Mercy free of charge.  That day they walked away with a yellow card….and more importantly a ticket for potential change and healing!

Note:  Those 475 people are among many others who had already been assigned surgical slots prior to screening day.  For example a large portion of the general surgery and VVF surgery slots had already been accounted for.

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As I mentioned before, SCREENING DAY was without a doubt a team effort!  The flow of the day went so well and I truly believe we can contribute that to the various roles people dedicated themselves to.  Roles included distributing food and water to patients, families and crew members; patient escorts (crew escorted patients from one area to the next so they were never alone in the process); child ministries (entertained the children); security (crew members, day workers and Gendarmerie); pre-pre screening; pre-screening; registration; history taking; physical assessments; phlebotomy; data collection; appointment scheduling; and more. 

I feel like it is also important to acknowledge all those we were unable to help that day.  For example: those requiring orthopedic surgery (don’t have an orthopedic surgeon at this time), those with malignant tumors, etc.  In hopes of offering healing and grace to those people, a prayer station with members of the Patient Life Team was set up under a large tree.  The Patient Life Team is a team of African day workers who work with patients in various ways to support their emotional/spiritual/intellectual and social needs.  They are our ‘go-to’ people and such an asset onboard!

Note:  When possible other resources were referred to patients such as Dental Clinics and Eye Clinics that take place off ship.

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Okay!….to wrap things up….I want to end with saying that I am so proud and blessed to have been apart of such a fundamental day and the beginning of Mercy Ships Field Service Togo, West Africa, 2012!!! It was an absolute surreal experience….truly beyond words.  I think everyone would agree that pictures speak louder than words so I share these in hopes that it will paint a story for you.

 

 

(NOTE:  All pictures taken and edited by crew photographer)

In the days following Screening Day, someone onboard challenged us to think about how Jesus often works backwards in wonderful ways as seen that day at Kegue Stadium.  The poor were rich that day, those normally seen last were seen first and those who are normally ridiculed and avoided were praised and touched!!!!

Here is a link for a short video that our videographer created from SCREENING DAY….FEBRURARY 1^st, 2012!

http://youtu.be/UwrBKTbhaCc

That's it for now!