Liberian American surgeon Dr. Carolyn Baindu Moore is set to bring a team of medical professionals to Liberia to provide treatment and training to local health workers. The team, which includes five surgeons, six nurses, and four global health partners, will operate on patients, train 250 people in emergency care, and screen 100 market women for cancer. The initiative, which runs from December 1 to 15, aims to address the country's severe shortage of specialist surgeons.
Liberia has been struggling to rebuild its healthcare system since the civil war and the Ebola outbreak. According to the World Journal of Surgery, the country had only 286 surgical providers in 2018, with only 67 accredited specialists. This translates to 1.6 specialist surgeons, anaesthetists, and obstetricians for every 100,000 people, far below the global target of 20. The shortage has resulted in long waiting times for operations, with many Liberians forced to travel to Monrovia for medical care.
The visiting team will work alongside Liberian surgeons and health workers to provide medical care and training. From December 7 to 11, visiting and Liberian surgeons will operate side by side, including laparoscopic surgery, also known as "keyhole" surgery. This type of surgery is not commonly available in Liberian hospitals, and teaching it is one of the main reasons for the mission. The hospital where the operations will take place, and the number of patients to be treated, have not yet been confirmed.
In addition to providing medical care, the team will also train 250 people in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. The courses will teach CPR and what to do in emergency situations where a few minutes can mean the difference between life and death. The trainees will include doctors, nurses, residents, and emergency medical staff, as well as ordinary citizens. Some will be trained to teach the course themselves, so the skills can continue to spread after the visitors leave.
The team will also conduct a mobile clinic in the Rock Church community in Duazon, where 100 market women will receive health education, consultations, breast and reproductive health checks, and screening for cervical cancer and high-risk HPV. The choice of market women is deliberate, as they often have limited time to seek medical care and are crucial to supporting their families. The clinic aims to provide medical care to those who need it most.
The Liberia Global Health & Surgery Consortium (LGHSC), led by Dr. Moore, aims to provide a lasting impact through compassionate care, practical training, and partnership with Liberian healthcare teams. The Consortium has over 120 members in more than 16 workgroups on four continents and plans to work through Liberian teams, keep mentoring them, and check on patients long after December. The team's measure of success will be the quality of care provided and the knowledge, confidence, and capacity that remain long after they leave.
The Consortium's launch will be marked with a founding fundraiser banquet on December 12, where Dr. Deddeh E. P. Supuwood will give the keynote address, and Mr. Leo Lekpele Nupolu-Johnson will be master of ceremonies. The event aims to raise funds for patient care, training, equipment, and community outreach. Those wishing to volunteer, partner, or support the launch can contact the Consortium or visit its website.
Key points
- Dr. Carolyn Baindu Moore is bringing a team of medical professionals to Liberia to address the country's severe shortage of specialist surgeons.
- The team will provide medical care, training, and screenings for cervical cancer and high-risk HPV.
- The initiative aims to provide a lasting impact through compassionate care, practical training, and partnership with Liberian healthcare teams.
