19th to 23rd JUNE 2023
Beroroha is the most distant MMS from the main Tana site, but is also the location of our second base. It lies on the Mangoky river in the south of Madagascar close to the region where a severe drought has brought suffering to millions.
The MMS team returned there after a 2 year gap following many requests from the inhabitants.
Limitations on space and payload on the plane meant that the medical team was limited to 7 (sonographer, a doctor, a logistician, an anesthesiologist, a surgeon, a nurse and an assistant), alongside a pastor, and our country director Doreen.
We departed from Ivato on June 19 around 9am. on the MAF plane. 65kg excess weight meant a stopover in Fianarantsoa was needed to add a little more kerosene.
We arrived in Beroroha around 12:30 p.m. Our representative in Beroroha Bolo was waiting for us at the Bemana track with the cars and carts to take us back to the village. This is a 45 minute journey plus crossing the Mangoky. The river is 1.5km wide, but half of this is sand. We waited 40mins for the ferry because the manager was not there.
Tuesday morning, after breakfast, we made a courtesy visit to the Chief of the District, and the Medical Inspector. He was very encouraged to see the work that we do in his community. He was very supportive and took the initiative to go to the Local Radio station and announce our arrival and encourage more people to come for the MMS. He provided our team with some of his team members to help with us.
After this, we began the activities with a religious service as usual led by the Pastor. There were not as many people there as we expected.
The Inspector doctor explained to us that because of the local “dahalo” (bandits) many patients live very far from Beroroha and are discouraged by the long distance to get to the MMS
Please help !
Fonenga (30 yrs old, 2 children) has had a facial tumor for the last 3 years. It started like a toothache which she never got to see a doctor and after a while, started swelling turning into this big tumor on her cheek. She lives in the local pastor’s (Gerald) home after she was rejected by her husband and family. She hopes that we can help her to get treatment for her condition. The pastor is taking care of others with similar situations like Fonenga.
All need specialist medical help. Our Evasan service with MAF has been set up to enable this. Please donate to our Emergency Medevac fund to help us to carry out this crucial work:
The most consulted diseases at the MMS were tuberculosis, hypertension, asthenia, STDs. For ultrasound, most are acites, slpenomegaly, colic and 2 tumours
STATISTICS
Medical consultation 234; Ultrasound 80; Surgery: major 10, minor 4.
