Switzerland
Partnership with Dr. Wodome
12.07.2012- Abram Wodome is one of 16 children. Growing up in Togo, he was always surrounded with love and support but, as the youngest child, his dream of one day becoming a doctor seemed impossible.
Dr. Wodome with Mercy Ships eye surgeon Dr. Strauss
Dr. Wodome teaches new techniques to another Togolese eye surgeon on board the Africa Mercy.
Despite the struggle, he overcame many barriers and moved forward with his dream. In 2002, while working as a general physician in Lomé, Togo, Dr Wodome was challenged by the field of ophthalmology. After receiving basic training in Guinea, he traveled through Mali, Benin, and the Ivory Coast to further develop his skills.
In 2010, Dr. Wodome met Mercy Ships volunteer Dr. Glenn Strauss, an eye surgeon. As part of a training program on the Africa Mercy, Dr. Strauss trained Dr. Wodome in a revolutionary technique of cataract removal. This new procedure allows for quicker surgery times at less expense. “With this procedure, I can remove a cataract in less than 10 minutes!” Dr. Wodome explains.
Those trained on board the Africa Mercy make a commitment to share their new knowledge with other doctors. In 2012, Dr. Wodome came back on the ship to teach local doctors and plans to continue training others in Lomé after the ship leaves. It is his dream that “together we can conquer blindness.”
