March 23, 2009

Ophthalmology Team in Oaxaca

Friday, March 20th, Tom and Wendy Hogan, FEI Field Staff, welcomed the latest ophthalmology team to Oaxaca, Mexico. Thankfully, everyone arrived safely with all the necessary luggage and medical equipment.

By the time the team arrived at the Manos de Ayuda clinic at 7:00 am Saturday, about 25 people were already there, waiting. The patients had travelled by bus to the clinic the previous day, arriving around 1:00 am.

Dr. Luz (the local physician) did a lot of pre-team leg work to help ensure the trip goes smoothly, including interviewing and checking the prospective patients in the surrounding communities. She had arranged transportation to the clinic for the patients and had them pre-checked, with a chart prepared, by the time the team arrived.

Saturday morning the team spent some time getting organized. They set up equipment and picked up some last-minute supplies before getting started. Even with the administrative details to take care of, they were still able to perform 12 cataract removal surgeries on Saturday and 11 on Sunday. Praise God!

Tom Hogan was amazed by how well this team of individuals, many of whom had only just met, works together. He reported, "It's like watching a well-oiled machine at work. Each one knows their function, and works as if they've been together for years."

A local television crew arrived to record the events and interview Dr. Luz and Tom Hogan. The report should air on the local TV station today.

God is truly blessing this team. We are so excited that so many are already experiencing the joy of sight and look forward to hearing further reports.

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