What Does it Take to Save Someone’s Life?
What does it take to save someone’s life?
This question came up a lot last week, as our first Medical Capacity Building course in Benin was all about protecting and saving the lives of mothers and babies through safer anesthesia. The course, SAFE Obstetric Anesthesia, focuses on obstetric anesthesia situations ranging from newborn resuscitation all the way to maternal trauma and obstetric emergencies.
Attending the course were 24 doctors and nurse-anesthetists, 6 midwives, and 8 “train the trainer” participants who helped co-teach the course.
Through a combination of lectures, discussions, scenarios and hands-on practice with mannequins, students learned about airway assessment and management, rapid sequence induction, extubation, the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist, general anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, neurological complications, hypotension, the physiology of pregnancy, critical care and resuscitation, sepsis, maternal CPR, neonatal resuscitation, haemorrhage, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, and estimation of blood loss – just to name a few!
We were thrilled to have 7 outstanding teachers for the course. The teachers were supported by 4 fantastic translators who did a wonderful job translating complicated medical terms into French and matching the enthusiasm and energy of the teachers.
One of the teachers leading the course had this to say:
“Upon returning to the UK after teaching on various SAFE Obstetric Anaesthesia course (I have now done quite a few, 5 courses in 4 different countries). I have to confess that I often question whether it is really worth all the effort. Asking can we really make a lasting positive impact on the professional lives of the course delegates? Conducting these courses in French is especially difficult for those of us who do not speak French. However, this time I have arrived home on a real high. I have put the photo of our course faculty up on my office wall to inspire me and to help me keep believing in the vision behind these courses. I am confident that this course has been a resounding success”.
We hope that this course will have a powerful ripple effect as the students and train the trainers participants return to their different hospitals. Specifically, our hope and prayer is that the skills and knowledge they have learned will result in many saved lives and improved care for many, many moms and babies. The MCB team is thankful for such a successful start to the year, and we are looking forward to many more great courses!
-Abbey Watrous, Medical Capacity Building Project Manager
How the Mercy Ships National Crew Took on the COVID-19 Pandemic in Senegal
On a hospital ship when the pandemic hit, a member of Mercy Ships National Crew was inspired to continue humanitarian work in Senegal.
NOTICE OF BOARD VACANCIES MERCY SHIPS CANADA
Mercy Ships Canada is seeking up to three dynamic independent Directors to join our Board over the next 18-months.
Safer Surgery for a New Generation: Pediatric Anesthesia Training in Senegal
In June 2022, more than 30 Senegalese healthcare professionals boarded the Global Mercy® to equip themselves with new skills that could save countless vulnerable young lives.
A Franco-Canadian Onboard the Global Mercy
Now living in France, Léa works for Mercy Ships Canada remotely and “seized the opportunity” when the hospital ship Global Mercy came to Europe.
Africa Celebration
The Africa Celebration is a moment to pause and give thanks for 30 years of partnership, filled with stories of hope and healing.
A Promise Fulfilled: The Africa Mercy Returns to Africa
The Africa Mercy® hospital ship returned to West Africa, bringing hope and healing as the vessel docked once again in the port of Dakar, Senegal.
Share
Related Posts
A Promise Fulfilled: The Africa Mercy Returns to Africa
The Africa Mercy® hospital ship returned to West Africa, bringing hope and healing as the vessel docked once again in the port of Dakar, Senegal.
Africa Celebration
The Africa Celebration is a moment to pause and give thanks for 30 years of partnership, filled with stories of hope and healing.
A Franco-Canadian Onboard the Global Mercy
Now living in France, Léa works for Mercy Ships Canada remotely and “seized the opportunity” when the hospital ship Global Mercy came to Europe.
Safer Surgery for a New Generation: Pediatric Anesthesia Training in Senegal
In June 2022, more than 30 Senegalese healthcare professionals boarded the Global Mercy® to equip themselves with new skills that could save countless vulnerable young lives.
NOTICE OF BOARD VACANCIES MERCY SHIPS CANADA
Mercy Ships Canada is seeking up to three dynamic independent Directors to join our Board over the next 18-months.
How the Mercy Ships National Crew Took on the COVID-19 Pandemic in Senegal
On a hospital ship when the pandemic hit, a member of Mercy Ships National Crew was inspired to continue humanitarian work in Senegal.