A Challenging Journey
Reaching Ambatolahy was far from easy. Poor road conditions caused major delays, and the team had to stop overnight in Antsirabe before continuing the next morning at 5:00am. Some stretches of road were so damaged that just 20km took over an hour to travel.
After finally arriving late afternoon, there was no time to rest. Tents were set up, operating rooms prepared, and surgical instruments sterilised so treatment could begin early the next day.
The Mission Begins
By Wednesday morning, many patients were already waiting. The mission opened with a short service and welcome before teams moved quickly into their different stations.
Despite intense heat throughout the week, the team worked tirelessly to provide medical care, surgery, diagnostics and treatment.
Life-Changing Healthcare
Two operating theatres ran throughout the mission, with patients aged from 1 to 65 years old receiving procedures including:
- Hernia and hydrocele repairs
- Appendectomies
- Hysterectomies
- Tonsillectomies
- Lipoma removals
- Ovarian and cervical cyst removals
- Two delicate goitre surgeries
Alongside surgery, the medical team treated conditions such as hypertension, infections, gastritis, respiratory illness and urinary infections.
Demand for ultrasound scans was especially high, with more than 200 people seeking appointments. The team completed 140 scans, including pregnancy monitoring and abdominal examinations.
Eye care consultations supported patients with cataracts and poor vision, while the dental team carried out extractions for many people suffering pain and infection.
Stories from the Week
Among those seen was a three-year-old child with clubfoot, brought by his mother in hope of treatment. As specialist equipment was unavailable, he was referred for further care elsewhere.
Three patients required hospital admission, including a man seriously unwell with untreated tuberculosis and two women with dangerously high blood pressure.
Looking Ahead
While the mission was a success, better surgical lighting, replacement sterilising equipment and new instruments are urgently needed to continue delivering safe care in these challenging environments.
Thank you to everyone who supports HoverAid and helps bring life-changing healthcare to remote communities across Madagascar.
Statistics Total – 549
