Rotary News Release

The Washington Noon Rotary Club and the Washington Rotary Club have joined with the Conakry-Camayenne Rotary Club in Guinea and the Sidney By The Sea Rotary Club in Canada in partnering with Mercy Ships in a Rotary International Global Grant. The project will specifically address maxillofacial needs in Guinea as well as train a local surgeon and health care team in surgical techniques, anesthesia and nursing care. Surgeries and care will address many diseases, injuries and defects, specifically of the maxillolfacial (jaw and face) region.

Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships delivers world-class health care to some of the least developed countries of the world through the use of the world’s largest hospital ship, the Africa Mercy. Guinea, on the coast of west Africa, is a country that ranks 178 of 187 countries on the UN human development index, with 43% of the population living on $1.25 a day. The country ranks 174 of 187 countries in terms of a ratio of physicians to population.

Specific objectives of the project include training a local maxillofacial surgeon who will observe and assist in approximately 40 maxillofacial cases, training a local operating room team of up to 3 people to address the needs of this type of surgery, providing essential equipment for Donka Hospital in Conakry, Guinea so that maxillofacial services can be performed to a higher standard of care to more people and providing basic hygiene training to patients receiving surgical services and their caregivers.

“We are pleased to join with fellow Rotarians in our district to support this project that will bring hope and healing to those in need,” said Phil Holloman, Washington Noon Rotary president.

Shanon Carter, Washington Rotary President, added, “Our club members are dedicated to improving the lives of people in both our community and in the world community. This project is certainly in line with our Rotary theme this year: Peace through Service.”

The Africa Mercy is currently stationed in Guinea and the project has started. The surgeries and related training will continue through May of 2013.

To find out more about Rotary visit Rotary.org and Mercy Ships at MercyShips.org.