When We Come To It

3 years and countless zoom meetings later, we are planning a trip back to Moshi and KCMC!

Over the past 3 years, I’ve been able to meet and work with some amazing folk at Atrium Musculoskeletal Institute and Wake Forest Orthopedic programs. Together we have been doing monthly zoom conferences with the orthopedic residents at KCMC in Tanzania. As you’d expect, overseas internet teaching comes with its own set of challenges and successes. Some meetings are well-attended by both sides of the pond, while others are frankly canceled due to lack of participants. Regardless, our zoom link has allowed a continual sense of involvement from both sides and hopefully laid some groundwork for our return.

And return, we shall!

This trip will be very different. I will be journeying with 2 chief residents from the above institutions for several weeks. During our visit to KCMC, we will also be joined by a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and an orthopedic trauma specialist. Mrs Tree will be along for part of the trip as well. I hope to include on this site each of their experiences and thoughts along the way.

We received word that the hospital in Moshi is struggling to reopen supply lines for orthopedic implants post-Covid. Unfortunately, this news cam late in our preparations and I’m not sure how quickly we can mobilize significant implant donations (cost, bulk, customs, etc.) There is also a need for batteries for their power tool system, but those batteries are no longer available. Another surgeon who has made many visits to the area believes he can get replaceable batteries to modify the system. Fingers crossed there – hand powered crank tools are pretty hard to use, which would add another element f challenge to the OR experience.

My other concern is overwhelming the system with our enthusiasm! After years of closed borders, many folks are enthusiastically ready to volunteer their time. Hopefully, HVO does a good job of coordinating the flow of volunteers so the hospital is able to accommodate our visits and make them all meaningful. It does appear that the KCMC orthopedic residency has expanded to around 50 total residents! WOW! We will meet all levels of training and skills which will be sure to give everyone a chance to share some knowledge. Like before, I may learn more than I teach, but I look forward to the exchange!

For future travelers some thoughts:

1-PPE needs – masks, hats, eye protection, hand sanitizer, OR shoes should be obtained prior to the trip

2-HIV PrEP – Seems to be a hot topic this trip from the health departments, prevalence in Tanzania is ~5%. The drug cost is high, we are looking into donations?

3-Implant donations – Customs may pose a problem for individual transport, but shipping options may be difficult as well.

I hope to address our solutions and experiences as we move along. Until next time, we will continue our travel preparations! Drip, drip, drip.