Report by Andy Steel
A Saffron Walden doctor has recently returned home after his latest stint for a charity that operates in war-torn and impoverished areas of the globe.
Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Leo Cheng is one of the many volunteers from all over the world who volunteer their time for Mercy Ships, an international charity providing floating hospitals to serve the poorest countries in the developing world.
Leo, who liver near Radwinter Road, spent two week during February on the Anastasis ship performing specialist surgery on patients in desperate need of his help. It is the second year he has been involved.
Leo says he has been deeply moved by the cases he has seen and the difference the Mercy Ships have made to peoples lives.
Said Leo: “If heaven ran a hospital it would run like a Mercy Ship. All volunteers from a consultant reconstructive surgeon like myself to a member of the hospitality staff work collectively for each other and for the patients. We are all involved in the healing process.”
Anastasis is the largest of three Mercy Ships and the biggest non-government hospital ship which is not tied to one location, visiting many needy countries. It is 522 feet long and has three operating theatres, a dental clinic, an x-ray unit and a ward with 38 beds.
In February Leo flew to Cotonou in Benin West Africa to board Anastasis with other surgeons and nurses to provide corrective surgery to numerous mouths, faces, heads and necks.
Other surgery performed onboard includes orthopaedic, ophthalmic (especially for cataracts and squints) and gynaecological.
Every crew member including the Captain, surgeons, nurses, chef, engineers and electricians pays for their on board accommodation as well as transport to and from the ship.
Saffron Walden Rotary Club recently donated £3,000 to Leo which went directly to the maintenance of the ship and patient care.
Leo says that the atmosphere on board is special: “There is a high morale on the ships and the atmosphere in the theatre is very good with a great sense of camaraderie. You get withdrawal symptoms when you leave.”
He says the simples gratitude of the patients makes up for the long hours of surgeon on the ship. Medics often work form early morning to late at night each day.
“There are also lots of non-medical people reaching out to patients who are waiting to be assessed. The say simple thing like “would you like a drink of water” which offer a human touch and helps to start the overall healing process.
“Patients I deal with have a lost of deformities to their eyes and face. Part of the job of staff on Anastasis is to let them know there is someone going to offer help, which, in turn, gives them hope.
“Medical and dental teams who establish land-based field clinic carry out free vaccination programmes, dental care, minor operations and medical screening as well as supporting the training of local doctors and nurses. Mercy Ships runs education programmes in hygiene, nutrition and basic health care.”
The ships usually dock for up to half a year at a time in the harbours of countries like Togo, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.
In addition to the thousands of operations carried out on board the ships and the land clinics there are community development projects in many villages.
Said Leo “Following the example of Jesus, Mercy ships seeks to become the face of love in action – bringing hope and healing to the poor, mobilising people and resources worldwide.
“I have seen just how unfair life is for some and to witness this first-hand is very humbling. My time on Anastasis has made me realise what a privileged life I lead back home.”
Anastasis’ next destination is war-torn Liberia in West Africa.
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