Provide a Life Changing Surgery in Bolivia
Of all the work Esperança conducts, none has more dramatic effect than our surgical missions. Each mission is dedicated to either general surgery or a surgical specialty such as plastic surgery, orthopedic, ophthalmology, pediatric, gynecology, and urology. All operations performed significantly improve quality of life for our patients and in some cases are life-saving. Volunteer surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses come from throughout the U.S., procuring medical supplies for their mission and paying their own travel expenses. Each team travels 1-2 weeks and accomplishes between 40 and 50 surgeries. While our doctors are in the host country we provide training to local health professionals. A full surgical mission costs $7000 or $156 per patient.
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The Need
Rural indigenous families living in the highlands of Bolivia live with painful, devastating health issues for years with no hope of being healed or treated. Common ailments include burn scar tissue that prevents the use of limbs and hands, cleft palates, goiters, prolapsed uterus, enlarged organs from Chagas (including mega colon), tumors, and improperly healed broken bones. For most, the cost of transportation and medications is much too great when the average farmer makes less than $1 a day. Travel to the nearest clinic can take days on foot or donkey.
In order to reach Bolivian patients that are most in need, Esperança sends volunteer surgical teams to provide these life-altering and sometimes life-saving operations. Teams operate for 1 to 2 weeks and perform an average of 40 to 50 surgeries. Patients are referred to the program by local hospitals and clinics, in order to ensure that only those who have no other option for care are receiving the surgery.
About Esperanca
Partner since July, 2011
Esperança is an international health organization that improves health and provides hope for families in the poorest communities of the world through sustainable disease prevention, education, and treatment. Programs encompass a volunteer surgical program, clean water development, home building and improvement, disease prevention and education campaign among others. Esperança is currently active in Bolivia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, and the United States. Esperanca’s efforts have improved the health of millions around the world since the organization’s inception in 1970. Over 100,000 people are served annually. Ninety percent of every dollar contributed is spent on program services.
