Volunteering Aboard Mercy Ships
Dr Paul Theron writes about two weeks he spent using his medical skills on a floating hospital ship with the Mercy Ships organisation, which was partly supported by a SETSA grant.
I have been very fortunate to have taken part in an amazing charity for 2 short weeks of my life. It was a fantastic experience and I highly recommend it to anyone considering doing some volunteer work.
The Anastasis is part of a Christian charity called Mercy Ships. It has been in operation since 1978 and its mission is to follow the example of Jesus and bring hope and healing to the poor, mobilising people and resources worldwide. It aims to serve all people without regard for race, gender or religion.
Getting there was relatively simple. SETSA was most generous in helping me. They donated £200 to contribute to the cost of a £450 flight and my crew fees which came to £139 for the 2 weeks I was there. I am also grateful to Lewisham Hospital for allowing me 5 days study leave.
The process of application was relatively simple. An application pack is available from Mercy Ships after an email request. At present there is a great need for anaesthetists so my form was processed quickly. There were some further forms to be completed to register with the Ghanaian Medical Council. Thankfully one does not have to apply for visas as Mercy Ships has made an agreement with the Ghanaian government. I was glad to sail through immigration for a change. I am South African after all!
I was very relieved to be met at the airport by a representative from the ship who whisked me off in a Land Rover to the ship. What an impressive first sight! A bright white cruise liner with www.mercyships.org painted across the side.
As a first year SpR, I could not have asked for better work experience. I was glad to have some senior help from Dr Stephen Raftery (Anaesthetic Consultant from Whiston Hospital, Merseyside) for the first week and Dr Margaret Johnson (a NCCG UK Anaesthetist) for the second. I managed to spend most of my time in the Max-Fax theatre with a brilliant surgeon, Dr Gary Parker. He has been on the ship for more than 20 years and is one of the most incredible human beings I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.
The pathology seen in Ghana gives a new meaning to lumps and bumps. I anaesthetised two patients for maxillectomies for removal of large tumours who required fiberoptic intubation. Further patients needed parotidectomies, local flaps for facial reconstruction, debulking of severe facial neurofibromas and one required a hemimandibulectomy. There was an eye theatre in which the odd GA was done. A fair portion of the patients were children. The youngest patient requiring a maxillectomy was four.
The work environment is far better than I expected for deepest darkest Africa. Although a bit cramped, the theatres are well equipped and the pharmacy is generally well stocked. The anaesthetic machine (Ohmeda Modulus II) is American with oxygen colour being green and the flow meter on the right. There is piped air but oxygen supply is via 2 H-size cylinders in theatre. All in psi naturally.
Life of the ship is very comfortable and secure. The ship is fully equipped with all the mod-cons: internet cafe, wireless internet, TV/DVD room, satellite TV and pool. Even a cricket-football-basketball court and table tennis. I was surprised and exceedingly happy to find a group of surfers on board who kindly invited me along for a few early morning 'dawnies'.
The galley provides 3 sumptuous meals daily and coffee on tap 24/7. There is also a ship-shop, snack bar and the "El Salvatore" coffee shop for the little extras. Understandably there is a no-alcohol-or-tobacco policy while on board. This is due to the ship crew being from various cultural backgrounds; to display the desired image and practically for insurance purposes.
Accommodation is shared. I was grateful to be on A-deck and to have an en suite bathroom. My room mate, David, and I got on well. As the Lab technician he informed me that the blood bank consists of willing crew members who step up when the need arises. Fortunately this is rare.
As anaesthetists we ran an on-call rota but I did manage to get off the ship to see some of Ghana. Highlights included a trip to a beautiful beach for a surf and a visit to the undertakers. One can buy a custom made coffin for $2000. Papa Joe said he could make me a stethoscope coffin! A gynaecologist had a uterus shaped coffin constructed. Fallopian tubes and all!
The blessings that I have received by working with Mercy Ships have been multiple. I am pleased to have experienced a new country and culture. I have grown spiritually and have met some brilliantly friendly people. Naturally moving out of my work comfort zone has broadened my knowledge of anaesthesia, particularly with regards to airway management.
As a final note, one striking aspect for me was being in a work environment where all involved are there voluntarily. Everyone's efforts were appreciated to enable patients to be treated optimally. I wish this were more evident in our daily work life and I hope to bring that aspect back with me.
Dr Theron would be very happy to answer any further questions you may have about his experience and can be contacted by email.