AAO-HNSF Humanitarian Travel Grant Report: Kigali, Rwanda
We worked at the Kibagabaga Hospital beginning with an intense screening process of patients from all over Rwanda, some of whom had traveled as far as four hours by bus to be evaluated for surgery.
Meredith A. Lilly, MD, Emory University Department of Otolaryngology
Dr. Lilly reviewing thyroid anatomy via point of care ultrasound with Rwandan medical students.
The week began at Kibagabaga Hospital with an intense screening process of patients from all over Rwanda, some of whom had traveled as far as four hours by bus to be evaluated for surgery. A total of 34 patients were screened, and 22 patients ultimately underwent surgery. Twenty-one patients underwent thyroidectomy for goiter and one patient underwent excision of a large deep neck space lipoma. We had the distinct honor to work with Ernest Munyemana, MD, the hospital’s Medical Director, and Etienne Ndamyiyumva, MD, the sole ENT physician who works at Kibagabaga. Without their dedication and assistance throughout the week, the mission would not have been a success. Additionally, Dr. Etienne’s presence at Kibagabaga ensured that patients will undergo long-term follow up.
Dr. Sebelik operating on a patient with a large goiter while teaching Rwandan medical students
Group photo of the MMFC and Kibagabaga Hospital surgical teams that worked together for the week of the mission.
This trip would not have been possible without Medical Missions for Children (MMFC), a non-profit organization that dispatches medical teams to low resource communities around the globe to deliver surgical and dental care. MMFC sends teams all over the world from Central and South America to Africa and Southeast Asia. We were thrilled to join in the first trip to Rwanda since the COVID-19 pandemic.
My part in the trip was made possible by the AAO-HNSF Humanitarian Travel Grant. This mission provided me with clinical knowledge and surgical skills that I will carry with me for the rest of my career as an aspiring endocrine head and neck surgeon. I am grateful to have been a part of the work we were able to accomplish and plan to participate in international humanitarian work for the rest of my career.