A team of plastic surgeons from Germany spent 2 weeks operating at the neighbouring government hospital. The German team asked LFHC to identify children that could be helped with surgery so we invited children with cleft lips, cleft palates, burns and deformities and many of them were treated. LFHC did the post operative care, great these children were helped by surgery and wonderful there are people with unique, useful skills and willing to give their time.
The Governmet also made announcements on the radio advising people to present themselves at the hospital. I was astonished at the number of people who arrived hoping to receive help and was struck by the severity of some of the injuries and deformities people had been living with for years. I was curious so asked the Laos team to help translate, I especially wanted to know about the impact injuries were having on daily lives as they were so severe. I was amazed that people could still work with their deformities and injuries.
One man was severely burnt 10 years ago, the scars to his shin had still not healed and the heat had caused a contracture so his foot was contracted next to his shin, he walked on his heal. Shoes obviously did not fit, he worked every day as a farmer and was uncomplaining when the German team said they were unable to help him. I simply wanted to cry.
People waited patiently all day to see the specialist and not everyone could be helped because of the complexity of surgery (requiring multiple operations) and because of the sheer number of people who turned up, hopefully next time.
Also there were a number of adults with club feet which had not been corrected during infancy. These people were also not able to wear shoes and walked awkwardly and I imagine in pain. All they needed was physiotherapy as a baby, so frustrating that these deformities could have been prevented.
Again, I was reminded how lucky we are in developed countries to have access to high quality health care, and especially in the UK where the NHS is repeatedly regarded as the best healthcare system in the world, we are so incredibly lucky.
We need to continue to help develop the healthcare system in Laos, the need is huge, health professionals want to develop their skills and the results would be life changing.
