In the Tchamba prefecture, located 375 kilometers north of Lomé, the non-governmental organization AIMES-AFRIQUE is concluding a free medical-surgical mission. The mission, led by Professor Serge Michel Kodom, began with nine days of consultations from September 17 to 25, 2026, during which 473 patients were identified for a scheduled surgical phase from September 28 to October 1, 2026. This initiative is a continuation of a previous operation in the Maritime region, where nearly 800 patients were operated on.
The mission in Tchamba utilized a network of about twenty health facilities, including CHP, CMS, and USP, to reach populations far from hospital centers. Out of the 473 cases identified, 377 relate to general surgery, ENT, and gynecology, including hernias, hydroceles, lipomas, goiters, fibroids, and ovarian cysts. An additional 96 patients will receive ophthalmological care, with cases of cataracts and pterygium to be treated during the mission.
The mobilization effort was particularly strong in certain localities, with 77 patients identified at the Kaboli CMS, 73 at the Bago USP, and 57 at the Tchamba CHP. Only three of the twenty health facilities involved did not report any cases, demonstrating the effectiveness of the territorial network in reaching rural areas often underserved by specialized healthcare.
For the beneficiaries, the stakes are high: accessing surgical intervention without incurring costs, as many of these pathologies remain untreated for years due to financial constraints. Professor Kodom emphasized the importance of providing support mechanisms for vulnerable populations, and his organization plans to continue such interventions in other prefectures across the country.
The mission highlights a persistent reality in Togo and several countries in the sub-region: access to specialized healthcare for a large part of the rural population often depends on the occasional occurrence of humanitarian missions. Over four days, from September 28 to October 1, the outcome of years of waiting for hundreds of patients will be determined.
AIMES-AFRIQUE's initiative demonstrates the impact that targeted medical missions can have on addressing healthcare disparities in rural areas. By leveraging a network of local health facilities, the organization was able to identify and prepare a significant number of patients for surgery, many of whom would not have had access to such care otherwise.
As the surgical phase of the mission nears its conclusion, the focus will be on the successful treatment of the 473 patients identified. The work of AIMES-AFRIQUE and similar organizations underscores the need for sustained healthcare initiatives in underserved regions and the importance of collaboration between local health facilities and international organizations to address these challenges.
Key points
- 473 patients identified for free surgical care in Tchamba, Togo
- Mission led by Professor Serge Michel Kodom aims to address healthcare disparities in rural areas
- Initiative a continuation of previous operations in the region, highlighting ongoing need for specialized healthcare access
