Gabon
Situation Report
Gabon’s income is 4 times greater than other sub-Saharan countries. Unfortunately, the resources are not shared evenly and a small percentage of the population controls the majority of the country’s wealth.
Most of the population lives in poverty and lacks access to clean water, proper food and health care. In Gabon, one in 10 children born will die from malnutrition or other preventable diseases before they reach their 5th birthday.
Each year, Africa loses more surgeons to the West than it produces. Training African surgeons in Africa is an effective and sustainable way to prepare local surgeons for the unique challenges they will face. In-country training enhances the likelihood that local professionals will continue to serve in their communities. We send teams to Bongolo Hospital in Gabon, the flagship Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS.)
Our Work
Since 2003, Medical Teams International has sent 7 surgical training teams to the Bongolo Hospital through the PAACS.
Future Plans
Medical Teams International will send 1 specialized surgeon to Gabon this year. The surgeon will present lectures and present hands-on training with the residents in conjuction with our partner, Bongolo Hospital. Physicians with specialities in anethesiology, general surgery, OB/GYN, orthopedics, urology, ENT, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, thoracic surgery and endoscopy are still needed for this teams.
Our Partners
- The Christian & Missionary Alliance opened Bongolo Hospital in 1977. The hospital serves the needs of the southwestern region of the country and performs 1,000 major operations per year. Patient services include a walk-in outpatient clinic currently treating 100-150 patients a day, a pediatric ward, a unit for premature babies, a treatment center for adults and a ward for patients with HIV and AIDS and tuberculosis. The hospital also trains nurses at the Bongolo School of Health.
- The Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) directs a four-year residency program at Bongolo Hospital to address the long-standing shortage of African general surgeons in Africa. PAACS is affiliated with the Christian Medical and Dental Society of North America and is financially supported by its Committee on International Medical Education (COIMEA).
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