Report on Medical Humanitarian Mission to Fish Town, River Gee County, Liberia
Organizations: Organized by Liberia Physicians and Surgeons Without Borders (LPSWB) & Liberia Medical and Dental Association (LMDA)
Sponsor: Cllr. Kunkunyon Teh, Esq & Foundation
Date of Departure from Monrovia: October 31, 2024
Date of Arrival in Fish Town: November 3, 2024
Implementation Period: November 4 – 9, 2024
Team Composition
| Team Member | Specialization/Role | Affiliation/Location |
| Dr. M. Peter George | Consultant General Surgeon, County Health Officer & Head of Department Surgery | Emirates Hospital, Gbarpolu County |
| Dr. Michael Kempeh | Specialist General Surgeon | J.F.K. Medical Center |
| Dr. Arthur Wuoh | Specialist General Surgeon, Medical Director | C.B. Dunbar Referral Hospital, Bong County |
| Dr. Levi Korheina | Specialist Anesthetic Physician, Medical Director | Liberia Government Hospital, Bomi County |
| Dr. Masuah Kokro | Specialist Family Medicine, County Health Officer | River Gee County |
| Dr. Luah Yardanmah | Specialist OBGYN, Medical Director | Fish Town Hospital |
| Dr. John T. Sarboah Jr. | Medical Officer | Military 14 Hospital |
| Dr. Wawakoh | Chief of Medical Staff | Fish Town Hospital |
| Roland Karnley | Certified Nurse Anesthetist | Emirates Referral Hospital, Gbarpolu County |
| Roger CorCor | Certified Operating Theater Scrub Nurse | Emirates Hospital, Gbarpolu County |
| J.F.K. Eye Department Team | Specialized Eye Care Services | J.F.K. Medical Center |
This team comprised highly skilled professionals who collaborated to ensure the success of the six-day Community Outreach Eye Screening Program and Surgical Intervention in River Gee County.
- Collection and Preparation of Materials
On October 31, 2024, all necessary materials and medical supplies were collected from Bunty Pharmacy at ELWA Junction by Dr. George, the team lead for the Liberia Physicians and Surgeons Without Borders (LPSWB). The following day, November 1, 2024, all materials were packed, labeled, and organized into four vehicles generously provided by our prime sponsor, Cllr. Kunkunyon Teh, Esq. Volunteers were informed to assemble at the A’la Lagune Resort between 12:00 am and 1:00 am for departure.
2. Departure and Initial Journey
The team departed from Monrovia at 2:44 a.m. on November 2, 2024, and arrived in Ganta, Nimba County, at 5:16 a.m. There, the vehicles made a brief stop for refueling. Unfortunately, no food options were available for volunteers at that time, so we continued our journey.
3. Rest and Meals in Saclepea
We reached Saclepea, Nimba County, at 7:27 am, where food was purchased for the team. Fifteen plates of food, including pepper soup, “rice and beans,” and a local dish “GB,” were served to the team. We departed from Saclepea at 8:15 am. Between Saclepea and Tappita, we encountered a major obstacle: getting stuck in the mud.
4. Challenges En Route to Zwedru
After overcoming the muddy stretch, we reached Tappita at 11:24 am and arrived in Nellah Town by 12:42 pm, where commercial trucks were also stuck. The truck drivers assisted us in moving forward, recognizing our mission’s humanitarian purpose. We entered Grand Gedeh County at 1:26 pm, where we went through immigration, and shortly afterward, we encountered another delay in Glodialialy Town, getting stuck from 2:16 pm to 5:45 pm. During this delay, one of our vehicles, with plate number A64679, suffered a fuel tank issue. We arrived in Zwedru City at 8:33 pm and met with Dr. Manneh, the Medical Director of Martha Tubman Memorial Hospital, who kindly hosted our team.
5. Vehicle Servicing and Continued Journey to Fish Town
On the morning of November 3, 2024, our vehicles were taken to a local garage in Zwedru for servicing and necessary repairs. Departed from Zwedru at 11:52 am on a smoother road and reached Kaloken, the commercial hub of River Gee County, at 1:39 pm. By 3:30 pm, we arrived in Fish Town, where we were warmly welcomed by Dr. Masuah T. Kokro, County Health Officer, and the local chief elders of Fish Town, which took 4 hours. We visited Fish Town Referral Hospital that evening to set up the operating room and arrange our surgical materials, and we were welcomed by the hospital administration led by Dr. L. Yardanmah, Medical Director of the Fish Town Hospital, River Gee County.
6. Commencement of Medical and Surgical Activities
On November 4, 2024, we began our medical mission at Fish Town Referral Hospital, which included:
- Surgical procedures
- Medical consultations
- Ophthalmology screening exercises
We were able to treat numerous cases, providing essential medical care and surgical interventions to the local community.
7. Strike by Nurse Anesthetists and Impact on Services
On November 8, 2024, the Nurse Anesthetists went on strike, significantly affecting the pace of surgical cases, as we only had one anesthesiologist available. This disruption caused delays, but the team continued to provide services as efficiently as possible.
Patient Data Analysis.
- Ophthalmology Patients Data Analysis
| Summary of Cases | Number of Cases |
| Cataract | 93 |
| Glaucoma | 12 |
| Pterygium | 45 |
| Corneal Scar | 20 |
| Refractive Error | 312 |
| Dry Eyes | 42 |
| Total Patients Screened | 524 |
| Additional Outcomes | Number |
| Patients Referred | 170 |
| Glasses Dispensed | 301 |
| Not Received Glasses | 11 |
| Normal Patients | 42 |
- Surgical Patients Data Analysis
Conclusion
The Medical Humanitarian Mission to Fish Town, River Gee County, was a resounding success, demonstrating the impact of collaborative efforts among skilled medical professionals, local healthcare providers, and generous sponsors. Over the course of the mission, the team provided essential medical, surgical, and ophthalmological services to the underserved population of River Gee County. With no logistical and operational challenges, only including delays en route and a temporary strike by Nurse Anesthetists, the team remained committed to delivering high-quality care.
The outreach served 524 ophthalmology patients, with 301 pairs of glasses dispensed and 170 patients referred for further care. The surgical and medical consultation services offered by the team addressed numerous complex cases for 277 patients, contributing significantly to the health and well-being of the local community.
This mission highlighted the critical need for sustained healthcare interventions in rural Liberia and underscored the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration to overcome barriers to healthcare access.
Recommendations
- Strengthen Local Healthcare Systems
- Provide additional training for local healthcare staff, including Nurse Anesthetists, to ensure continuity of care even during emergencies or strikes.
- Establish mentorship programs for local medical professionals to enhance surgical and medical capabilities.
- Expand Medical Outreach Programs
- Continue organizing similar humanitarian missions in other underserved regions of Liberia.
- Develop a structured schedule for periodic medical outreach activities to ensure consistent healthcare delivery.
- Enhance Logistics and Support
- Secure reliable transportation and backup vehicles to avoid delays caused by breakdowns during missions.
- Increase pre-departure planning and support to minimize challenges en route to remote areas.
- Strengthen Community Engagement
- Collaborate closely with local leaders and health authorities to better understand the community’s healthcare needs.
- Promote health education campaigns to increase awareness of preventable conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors.
- Sustain Funding and Partnerships
- Seek additional sponsorships and partnerships to support future missions, including equipment procurement, medications, and supplies.
- Foster long-term relationships with donors and sponsors to ensure sustainable funding for outreach initiatives.
- Monitor and Evaluate Impact
- Establish mechanisms to collect data and evaluate the impact of outreach missions, focusing on patient outcomes and community health improvement.
- Use these evaluations to refine future outreach strategies and enhance service delivery.
Prepared By:
Dr. M. Peter George, MD, FACS
Team Lead, River Gee Medical Humanitarian Mission
Liberia Physicians and Surgeons Without Borders (LPSWB)