Volunteer Reflection: Adeline Domkam – Uganda II, 2024
Adeline Domkam, FNP, a nurse practitioner from California.
Attending a Mission to Heal medical mission in Uganda was a dream come true. This was made possible through the scholarship granted to me via NIFA. It was a humble and learning experience throughout the two weeks spent. Everyone made me feel welcome. I have gained valuable knowledge that will help me as a first assist now and in the future as I complete the clinical hours required for graduation. I assisted the surgeons in most cases. If I was not assisting directly, I would be acting as a circulating nurse; giving the opportunity to the local doctors to learn how to do the procedures on their own.
I was impressed by what M2H is doing in the remote areas of Africa. Dr. Glenn and the team are not just helping the residents achieve a better quality of health, but he is also training doctors to provide the same treatments to help their community and to maintain it. M2H is helping change lives with most procedures done under local anesthesia except for ketamine given intravenously to a 9 and 10-year-olds during hydrocele procedures. All procedures were done under a sterile environment with fast recovery period and prophylactic oral antibiotics were given after each procedure. Unlike the USA, so little is used such as instruments and supplies to achieve the same quality of results. I have observe procedures in the USA surgical suites where a team is comprise of a surgeon, a first assist, a scrub tech, Anesthesia and a circulating nurse for cases like hernia repair, or amputation. Patients were happy following their surgery and wouldn’t feel any discomfort after and on day one post-surgery.
We used both MSU to drive to Muko on the first week and to Kamwezi on the following week. Kamwezi was a long drive that went by very quickly because of the scenery. While the scenery was immersive, the roads were bumpy.
After the introduction led by Dr. Glenn each week, we joined the staff and began screening at the clinic until we identified surgical cases. Several cases were identified at both locations (Several inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia, keloid on different parts of the body, anal fistula, chronic toe infection, skin tag, hydrocele, lipoma on different parts of the body, abnormal growth on upper lip). All cases were discussed with Dr. Glenn and all patients were consented prior to proceeding with the operation. While some cases were done in the local theater, others were done in the MSU OR because Dr. Godfrey from Mparo was willing to learn more and trained other doctors like him. I remember a 52-year-old soon-to-be married male with a sizable lipoma on his forehead and an older woman with a sizable growth on her upper lip that were both removed. I could see the excitement on their face after their procedures due to the noticeable change on their facial features. Another older woman with the chronic toe infection could walk again without pain after she received the toe amputation. I gained new insight on Hernia, Hydrocele, Cryptorchidism, Neglected Tropical disease and Thyroid lectures presented
by Dr. Glenn after lunch each day. During clinic, Dr. Glenn identified actinomycetoma on a patient that was chronic for 15 years at Kamwezi; it was my first time coming across a particular disease unlike parasitic elephantiasis that I have seen in the past. Nothing could be done due to lack of prosthesis at Kamwezi. It was a complex case because patient will need to travel to Kabale for the procedure; where prosthesis can be made for him and have family member care for him while he is there recovering, which is not that easy.
When I arrive at Kigali airport on Sunday, August 11, 2024. It was very uneventful. I asked myself whether or not I was in Africa because, in my experience traveling to Cameroon, there are a lot of hustlers looking for money to carry luggage. We spent the night upon arrival to Uganda and the weekends at Albertine Hotel. Hospitality, food, and cleanliness were fantastic. The only con I had with the trip was the stairs at Albertine Hotel. We went on a tour to a safari at Queen Elizabeth National Park on the first weekend, which made a memorable and an unforgettable trip.
I hope to attend another M2H trip in the future and spread the word about the organization that is helping shape the health industry in Africa. I know Dr. Glenn has been in most places around the globe helping people like he is doing right now. I want to thank Dr. Glenn, both Dr. Plurad, and Kristen who guided me on how M2H is run and supported me during this learning experience despite her many roles with M2H, all the doctors who let us use their facilities, and the patients who allow us to treat them. Lastly, shout-out to NIFA who made this exposure and experience possible for me.
Yours Sincerely,
Adeline Domkam, FNP-C
