2016 Medical Mission

The crowds of people waiting for us on the first day of the clinic.
The crowds of people waiting for us on the first day of the clinic.
Our four-day clinic was held in this tent. Over 1500 people filtered through to receive care they desperately needed from the 3 doctors who traveled on this mission trip.
Our four-day clinic was held in this tent. Over 1500 people filtered through to receive care they desperately needed from the 3 doctors who traveled on this mission trip.
Women waiting patiently to be seen. Some people waited for hours for something as simple as receiving ibuprofen for chronic back or neck pain.
Women waiting patiently to be seen. Some people waited for hours for something as simple as receiving ibuprofen for chronic back or neck pain.
Small children tagged along with their parents or other family members. Some of the children were in tremendous need of care.
Small children tagged along with their parents or other family members. Some of the children were in tremendous need of care.
This boy was extremely lethargic and almost non-responsive. With worry etched in her face, his mother said that he would not eat or drink anything. He was suffering from malaria. He received IV hydration and medications for malaria. By the time his care was finished, he was awake and eating a lollipop.
This boy was extremely lethargic and almost non-responsive. With worry etched in her face, his mother said that he would not eat or drink anything. He was suffering from malaria. He received IV hydration and medications for malaria. By the time his care was finished, he was awake and eating a lollipop.
This man carried his daughter into the clinic. She was severely dehydrated and was so weak that she could not move on her own. She suffered from Sickle Cell Anemia. We attempted IV access innumerable times without success. Dr. Folly attempted to place IV access in the jugular vein in her neck, but was even unsuccessful in his attempts due to her jugular vein collapsing. Her father pleaded with us to continue trying. The nearest hospital was 45 minutes away, and we weren't sure she would live long enough to make it to the hospital, much less if the father even had money to pay the local hospital for the fluids and supplies needed to save his daughter's life.
This man carried his daughter into the clinic. She was severely dehydrated and was so weak that she could not move on her own. She suffered from Sickle Cell Anemia. We attempted IV access innumerable times without success. Dr. Folly attempted to place IV access in the jugular vein in her neck, but was even unsuccessful in his attempts due to her jugular vein collapsing. Her father pleaded with us to continue trying. The nearest hospital was 45 minutes away, and we weren't sure she would live long enough to make it to the hospital, much less if the father even had money to pay the local hospital for the fluids and supplies needed to save his daughter's life.
A nurse, who had already attempted to gain IV access several times before, paused to pray. After praying, she looked at the girl's foot, and one tiny vein could be seen, giving a glimmer of hope. The IV attempt was successful, and we were able to hydrate this precious girl throughout the rest of the clinic day. By the end of the day, she was able to walk out of the clinic - of her own strength - with her father beside her.
A nurse, who had already attempted to gain IV access several times before, paused to pray. After praying, she looked at the girl's foot, and one tiny vein could be seen, giving a glimmer of hope. The IV attempt was successful, and we were able to hydrate this precious girl throughout the rest of the clinic day. By the end of the day, she was able to walk out of the clinic - of her own strength - with her father beside her.
A woman getting fitted for glasses.
A woman getting fitted for glasses.
A thirteen-year-old girl who appears to be pregnant, actually isn't pregnant at all. She has fluid built up in her abdomen because she is in heart failure. Dr. Folly is assessing her in this photo.
A thirteen-year-old girl who appears to be pregnant, actually isn't pregnant at all. She has fluid built up in her abdomen because she is in heart failure. Dr. Folly is assessing her in this photo.
Dr. Folly speaking with the girl's parents. She needs a heart transplant, but there is nobody in Togo who can do it. She would need to be sent to France, but the family cannot afford the travel expenses, much less the surgery. The plan is to manage her condition with medications as long as possible.
Dr. Folly speaking with the girl's parents. She needs a heart transplant, but there is nobody in Togo who can do it. She would need to be sent to France, but the family cannot afford the travel expenses, much less the surgery. The plan is to manage her condition with medications as long as possible.
This woman had ascites, a condition of abnormal fluid build up in the abdomen. It can be caused by many different medical conditions such as tuberculosis, heart failure, and cancer. This woman's ascites was so severe that she appeared to be full-term pregnant with twins, and she struggled just to breathe. Dr. Folly and Tony, RN worked together and were able to drain a few liters of fluid off of her abdomen by performing a paracentesis.
This woman had ascites, a condition of abnormal fluid build up in the abdomen. It can be caused by many different medical conditions such as tuberculosis, heart failure, and cancer. This woman's ascites was so severe that she appeared to be full-term pregnant with twins, and she struggled just to breathe. Dr. Folly and Tony, RN worked together and were able to drain a few liters of fluid off of her abdomen by performing a paracentesis.
Dr. Folly on one of his very few times to leave the clinic tent as patients look on.
Dr. Folly on one of his very few times to leave the clinic tent as patients look on.
Pharmacists helping a patient at the pharmacy area in the clinic tent.
Pharmacists helping a patient at the pharmacy area in the clinic tent.
Dr. Usman working with a translator to help one of the many patients seen during the clinic.
Dr. Usman working with a translator to help one of the many patients seen during the clinic.
A baby looks on as his mother wraps him onto her back.
A baby looks on as his mother wraps him onto her back.
Dr. Folly drawing a diagram in the dirt to explain a patient's heart condition to her as she and her family listen.
Dr. Folly drawing a diagram in the dirt to explain a patient's heart condition to her as she and her family listen.
Children reach through the thin sheet walls of the tent to receive candy given out by Kelli, one of our volunteers.
Children reach through the thin sheet walls of the tent to receive candy given out by Kelli, one of our volunteers.
Dr. Folly gives a new dress to a young girl after the healthcare part of our clinic was finished. We were able to hand out bags and suitcases full of clothes to the community.
Dr. Folly gives a new dress to a young girl after the healthcare part of our clinic was finished. We were able to hand out bags and suitcases full of clothes to the community.
Celebration during the ribbon cutting ceremony for our clinic in Agou, Togo.
Celebration during the ribbon cutting ceremony for our clinic in Agou, Togo.
LWDF volunteer, Jamie Orr holds a baby.
LWDF volunteer, Jamie Orr holds a baby.
A baby receives stuffed animals given on the last day of clinic, as his mother expresses her delight.
A baby receives stuffed animals given on the last day of clinic, as his mother expresses her delight.
In July 2016, a team of medical and non-medical professionals traveled to Togo to provide medical care to poverty-stricken people who traveled for hours – many on foot – and sat for days before getting a few short minutes of care during a four-day clinic held at our building in Agou. The building did not yet have electricity or equipment, so we crowded together in a small tent, our pharmacy, exam area, and wound care area all mingled together, the blessing of serving others with joy and compassion continued to drive our work. Despite the thick, sticky air, we worked with a quickness and supernatural energy, helping as many people as possible, as the crowds kept filtering in. God works miracles, and over 1500 patients were seen during those four days! The patients needed help for everything from chronic pain, diabetes, and high blood pressure to severe dehydration, malaria, and heart failure.
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