Mission Update: India 2013 – Hitting The Ground Running

January 20, 2013

The World Surgical Foundation mission to India is well underway. All participants have made it safely to India whether by transatlantic flight through Abu Dhabi or via polar route to Dubai arriving at Ahmedabad Airport around 3 to 4 AM Saturday morning local time.

We traveled by bus to Khambhat going directly to Cambay General Hospital. Upon arrival we had a small breakfast, familiarized ourselves with the hospital layout and separated medical bags from personal ones before going to the “Guest House” for a short rest and freshening up. There was little time to waste as screening, unpacking and setup was scheduled for that afternoon. All available patients were screened and the ORs and supply room were set up by 5 PM. We returned “home” for another respite before dinner at 8 PM and Day 1 in India was complete.

Day 2 began this morning at 6:30 AM. The short ride to the hospital was quicker due to the lack of pre-dawn traffic as the bustling street in front of the guest house was empty as a ghost town. All patients scheduled were ready to go so after a quick breakfast surgeries started at 9 AM. Screening will continue this afternoon between 3 and 5 PM to fill out the week. Lunch will be served shortly at 12:30 PM before the surgery day continues…