Surgery and Healing in the Developing World - Dartmouth-Hitchcock

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46 Surgery and Healing in the Developing World
tion in alerting potential volunteers to opportunities abroad, and also recently is
coordinating donations of equipment and supplies. Much of medical mission work
in developing nations is sectarian. Financial support may be available from such a
group, humanitarian aid groups (e.g., Rotary Club), medical center grants, national
government contracts (generally to work at indigenous facilities only) and from
family and friends. For the past five years support for our projects has derived from
donations to our account with The World Medical Mission (medical arm of
Samaritan’s Purse), although I fulfilled one government contract (Marshall Islands).
I acknowledge the helpful and gracious support of CIRCON/ACMI and Valley
Lab/U.S. Surgical, both companies having consistently supplied loaner equipment
for the training missions we conduct. A number of suppliers and hospitals have
donated a large variety of items, most useful in the Third World, where rubber gloves
may double as Penrose drains, surgical masks as perineal supporters and fishing line
as suture. If you are unable at this time to consider a volunteer medical mission, I
urge you to help those who go by donating medicines, sutures and other appropriate
supplies from your office, clinic and/or hospital(s).
Planning well, even six to twelve months prior to a mission term, is critical. One
cannot ask too many questions in order to match your expectations and needs with
those at the point of service. My friend, Dr. Louis Carter, plastic surgeon from
Chattanooga, TN and veteran in short-term mission work, has thoughtfully passed
on to me a list of questions to ask, which I have adapted below.
Travel:
• What type of visa do I need?
• Where is the closest international airport?
• What airline(s) serve(s) the country best?
• Will someone meet me at the airport?
• Where will I stay the first night in-country?
• Will the hospital assist in local transportation?
• How should I label containers of medical equipment, and what should
I say if questioned by customs officials?
• How many bags am I permitted? What are size and weight limitations?
• Will my sponsor provide a letter stating the nature of the mission for
both the airline carrier and customs agents?
• Who arranges local/regional travel?
Medical practice:
• Will I require a medical or dental license?
• Will I require malpractice insurance?
• Will I require a work permit?
Living conditions:
• Will I stay in a guest house, an empty home or with a career worker?
• Will there be suitable accommodations for my wife and children?
• Will my/our meals be prepared by somebody?
• Is household help available? What is the cost?
• Do I need to bring food?
• What is the electrical supply, 110V or 220V? Is it reliable?
• Is it possible to borrow a step-down transformer?
• Do I need an uninterrupted power supply/outlet adapters?
• Who does my wash?