AMREF UK

Dr Ngom, who is leading the new team, explained that months of research and analysis had gone into the planning and preparation for the outreach clinic, after their office in Dakar officially opened in August 2011.

Between 23 and 26 November last year the first medical outreach clinic, providing fistula operations, was successfully completed and exceeded patient target numbers.

'We are extremely pleased with this first outreach clinic which has been very encouraging in terms of the long-term longevity of working in the region. The patients in this area do not have the financial resources to access these types of operations, but thanks to AMREF they too can be cared for.' Dr Ngom

The outreach operations took place in the region of Ziguinchor in Casamance and targeted 50 women suffering from fistula, a debilitating and painful condition brought on by complications in childbirth. Three specialist doctors undertook several consultations and nine operations, two of which were particularly complicated.

'I’m very happy to have been able to assist AMREF in its first surgical interventions in West Africa,'  said Dr. Diuof, pediatric surgeon from the Ziguinchor Hospital, who participated in fistula operations for the first time on AMREF’s outreach clinic. He hopes to continue training in this complex field to be able to perform fistula operations himself.

Building on more than 50 years of experience providing medical aid and development to rural East African populations, and following countless successful projects in eastern Africa, AMREF is very excited and proud to celebrate the succesul launch of its new West African base, and looks forward to sharing more news of its succeses and progress very soon.