DAVID ADAMS reports on why it’s important people get behind the upcoming annual ‘Mercy Monday’ …
With as many as two million women in Africa suffering from the obstetric fistulas as a result of a difficult birth – a problem which is relatively easy to correct but if left untreated one which can have devastating consequences for the woman’s life, the medical volunteers aboard the Mercy Ships vessel, African Mercy, know they have a huge task ahead of them.
But they are making headway and it’s to raise more awareness and funds to tackle this women’s health issue that the organisation is holding its annual Mercy Monday next month.
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FLOATING HOSPITAL: The Africa Mercy boasts six operating theatres and 78 patient beds. PICTURE: Mercy Ships “It’s a relatively easy operation – it takes about 30 to 45 minutes,” says Gary Regazzoli, chief executive of Mercy Ships Australia. “But unfortunately there’s about two million of these ladies in Africa with this particular problem. So we’re trying to raise awareness of that and also get the funds to be able to not only treat those who have the injuries but also to help with the prevention of it as well.”but also to help wi-the prevention of it as well.” |
“It’s a relatively easy operation – it takes about 30 to 45 minutes,” says Gary Regazzoli, chief executive of Mercy Ships Australia. “But unfortunately there’s about two million of these ladies in Africa with this particular problem. So we’re trying to raise awareness of that and also get the funds to be able to not only treat those who have the injuries but also to help with the prevention of it as well.”
While obstetric fistulas – which can occur during prolonged or difficult labours – are relatively unknown in countries like Australia where caesarian sections are widely available, they can have devastating consequences in Africa.
Mr Regazzoli says that while the birth of a child should be joyful, “for many women in developing nations, it’s the beginning of a downward spiral into pain, loneliness and poverty”.
“For those without access to routine medical or surgical care during and after delivery, chronic medical issues such as incontinence can lead to spousal abandonment and community ostracism.”
It’s the second year Mercy Monday has been officially held in Australia after a trial two years ago. Mr Regazzoli says the date – 13th May – was chosen for several reasons: its proximity to Mother’s Day as well as the fact it coincides with National Volunteer Week and International Nurses Day.
“We try to combine those three different themes which are all very close to what we are raising the funds for. The primary reason is to provide funding to help with…the childbirth injuries that women in the developing world have because they don’t have the proper care when they are having children.”
Last year they raised $15,000 – up from about $5,000 the first year – and this year they are hoping for an even greater response. “Hopefully it will ramp up to somewhere around $25,000 this year and slowly build from there,” says Mr Regazzoli. As well as funding surgeries to correct the problem of fistulas, funds raised as part of Mercy Monday will also be used in training local doctors, nurses and other medical staff in better management of women’s health.
Founded in 1978 by American Don Stephens, the Mercy Ships organisation once had three ships in operation but consolidated its efforts and now only operates a single vessel, the Africa Mercy.
This year, the ship – which usually spends up to 10 months in a country at a time before dry-docking for maintenance in the Canary Islands – is visiting the west African nations of Guinea and the Republic of the Congo.
Boasting six operating theatres and 78 patient beds, the ship usually treats somewhere between 7,000 and 10,000 patients a year. As well as obstetric fistula surgeries, the medical teams also perform cataract surgeries, maxillofacial surgeries (facial tumours), cleft lip repairs, plastic reconstructive surgeries (mostly burn contractures) and orthopaedic surgeries. They also provide dental care, physical therapy, palliative care, agricultural training, and training and capacity building for local health workers.
Almost all of the 400 or so people aboard the ship are volunteers who have come from the 15 countries – based in based in northern Europe, the UK and North America as well as Australia and New Zealand – where Mercy Ships has offices for fundraising and recruitment. Australia usually sends about 55 volunteers a year.
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Victorian nurse Jennifer Adamthwaite has just returned from her fourth stint aboard the ‘Africa Mercy’. This time based in Guinea for four weeks, she has previously worked on board while docked in Liberia and Togo. Ms Adamthwaite, from Mystic Park, says there are many reasons why she keeps going back including patients, blind through cataracts, who can regain their sight after a 15 minute procedure and children who have been “shunned and mocked” their whole lives thanks to a cleft lip or palate who can go home whole after a minor surgery on the ship. “And women who have been incontinent from damage caused by prolonged labour can go home clean and dry,” she says. “Every day we help people who have no other way of being healed.” Ms Adamthwaite, who travelled this time with fellow Swan Hill District Health nurse Glenda Hill, says it has been great to share the experience with a friend from home. She adds that the onboard community is not like anything she can experience in Australia. No one is working to get a pay cheque or to gain prestige, the common goal is to serve the patients and each other. All egos are left at home and everyone truly works as a team,” Ms Adamthwaite says. “There is also a great opportunity to learn from other health professionals from around the world. Some of the patients and diseases that we see here in West Africa cannot be experienced anywhere else and every time I serve onboard I bring back new information and ideas.” PICTURE: Mercy Ships
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Mr Regazzoli says the ship is like a “small city” and as well as about 75 medical staff, is home to people involved in all sorts of support services.
““People have to have their hair cut, the vessel has to be cleaned, everyone has to be fed,” he explains. “We have four-wheel-drives which go up country to help find patients and then bring them down to the ship – they have to be serviced and looked after.”
As well as other departments dedicating to computing or accounting, the ship also features a small store. There’s even a Starbucks on board.
Not only do volunteers – who typically stay for one or two months – have to pay their own way to and from the ship (typically priced at around $3,500 from Australia), they also need to pay $200 a week for food and lodging – making it a considerable financial commitment.
Mr Regazzoli says that volunteers are needed in all manner of areas – as well as medical and support staff aboard the ship, the organisation also carries out building projects so everyone from carpenters to plumbers and electricians are welcome.
“If a person’s got good health and they’re willing, we can generally find a position for them”.
While Mercy Monday is officially 13th May, events – raising funds and awareness surrounding the problems of obstetric fistulas among women in Africa – can be held at any time during the month. Mercy Ships can provide everything from DVDs, invitations, brochures and other materials. For details of how you can become involved in Mercy Monday or how to volunteer, head to the website at www.mercyships.org.au.
