Changing the future today

01.05.2009- In an effort to build VVF surgeon capacity in West Africa, Mercy Ships has designed hands-on training in the form of an intensive two-week training experience for up to three surgeons who desire to contribute to the treatment of VVF in Africa.

Dr Sa’ad Idris of Nigeria, a obstetrics and gynaecology specialist who has performed over 3,000 fistula repairs, spent two weeks on board the Africa Mercy being mentored by US doctor Steve Arrowsmith, a long-time Mercy Ships volunteer who has performed over 10,000 VVF repairs in his life. Dr Idris says these two weeks have been “the most brilliant experience,” and he has learned things that will simplify the many different tasks he carries out at home.

“In Africa, if one wants to be a doctor one must be exposed to all the different disciplines,” Dr Idris said. “When you start working, you might be the only doctor in a general hospital. So you are likely to do as many things as possible, but you might not be a real specialist in any of them.” Back at home, he occupies the role of surgeon, trainer, and administrator of two local hospitals. He has also recently been appointed Health Commissioner for his home state of Zamfara, a region in northeastern Nigeria with a population of 3.6 million people.

This position, while an honour, will make it difficult for him to work in the clinics as much as before, and it confirms the need for more medical training and mentorship in West Africa. And Mercy Ships, with its “fully equipped hospital and wonderful staff,” is just the place to run those types of programmes.

“This is the best place to actually learn VVF skills as they are supposed to be learned,” Dr Idris said. “I am really urging whosoever is involved about training personnel in VVF, to please keep it up. We are calling on Mercy Ship’s management to welcome more doctors from Africa for fistula-repair training.”

“Everybody is working hard,” Dr Idris remarked of the work of Mercy Ships. “It is a wonderful experience, and I think it is probably one of the best times of my life.”