09 October 2024 (Last updated: 9 Oct 2024 14:40)
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An avenue of Jacaranda Trees in Lilongwe
Lilongwe, Malawi
October is the month in Malawi when the beautiful Jacaranda Tree flowers (Jacaranda mimosifolia), are widely seen lining the streets. Benetolo House has a few Jacaranda Trees and volunteers visiting in the spring have often been woken at night by the sounds of large Jacaranda seed pods crashing on to the tin roof. This can be quite alarming, It’s been another busy period at the LION Hand Unit as we begin to approach the end of the dry season in Malawi. September welcomed Professor Grey Giddins for a month at the LION as the BSSH Consultant who was then replaced by Mr Martin Wood (a familiar face!). Chloe Baxter returned for a three week trip and was joined by Joanne – the project’s first international volunteer therapist, having travelled from Canada. Continuity has been provided by India Cox (BSSH trainee) and Bright Mwafulirwa (Malawian BSSH Hand Fellow) now both completing their second month. Bright has been teaching on a course based in Blantyre. LION interns and clinical officers have experienced a lot of good teaching opportunities each week during this period of time.
Over the course of September, the LION Hand unit has seen 218 Clinic patients, carried out 40 operations (83% trauma cases) and provided hand therapy to 40 patients! Panga injuries still remain a relatively common mechanism of injury & prove a challenge for surgeons and therapists alike! Four cases required complex MDT input with multi-structural repairs undertaken and all remaining under close follow up.
In addition, we have had some interesting cases come through the LION Hand Unit (see below) challenging the MDT team, building skills and knowledge in order to promote sustainability via education and training. We continue to strive and ensure autonomous provision of specialty hand services to the Malawian population with the emphasis on a partnership with our friends at LION that enables, educates and empowers.
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Flexor tendon release for Volkmann’s ischaemic contracture
The parents of a 5-year-old boy (pictured) are delighted that he is now fully able to straighten his fingers. Professor Grey Giddins (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon) performed a surgical release of his flexor tendons for Volkmann’s ischaemic contracture. Interesting pathology for the LION team to see!
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Corrective surgery for bilateral radial aplasia
A paediatric patient with bilateral radial club hand underwent surgery to straighten the wrist, tendon transfers and k-wiring by Mr Wee Lam (Consultant Plastic Surgeon), with post-operative splinting by the LION therapists
Hand fracture treated for Vice President of Malawi’s personal trainer
Mr Martin Wood (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon) and India Cox (BSSH Trainee) managed a boxer’s fracture for the personal trainer of the Vice President of Malawi alongside the LION team.
BSSH LION Teamwork to repair panga knife injury
Bright Mwafulirwa (BSSH LION Hand Fellow), India Cox (BSSH Trainee) and Mr Mike O’Sullivan (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon) work together to fix a panga (machete) injury to eight extensor tendons and the distal radio-ulnar joint. The case was performed under regional anaesthesia provided by the LION team in the LION A&E theatre complex.
Be a Part of the BSSH LION Project
We are immensely proud and grateful for everyone's contributions to LION. We are constantly seeking passionate individuals to join our team of volunteers, helping to develop Malawi's first dedicated hand surgery service. Open to Consultants & Specialist Trainees in Plastics, Orthopaedics and Therapists, at any stage of their training.
The project is geared to enable, educate and empower the local staff, so that in 2028, they will be running their own hand service. We have trained at least 5 residents and two Fellows as well as upskilling many Consultants, Residents and Clinical Officers in the management of Hand Trauma. This project is not about “us” it is about ‘them” and the LION value the role we play in their Orthopaedic service greatly. If this inspires you to enquire more or join this exciting project, or would like to chat with a previous volunteer about what is involved, please contact the BSSH Secretariat at secretariat@bssh.ac.uk
We need your financial support
Running a Hand Service in a Low-Income Country is expensive and despite an initial donation from the BSSH, there is a shortfall in funds and the project needs £60,000 by 1st June 2025, which is about £7,000 per month. Currently the volunteers are doing the “Lions Share” of the fundraising, and we do appreciate the contributions made by others. Be assured of this a well-run high impact humanitarian project which reflects well on the BSSH at home and abroad. We politely request that all members consider either fundraising (using the Just Giving Page – click “start fundraising” e.g having a Cake/ book sale or raffle/tombola in your hand clinic or do a cycle ride /marathon) OR simply make a donation via the Just Giving Page e.g £25 or £50 per year. Every Little bit helps! Please do visit our Just Giving Fundraising Page at our JustGiving page. here. and look at the progress so far. Some of you may be happy to review your personal charitable giving and give a significant one-off LION donation (Platinum, £1000, Gold £750, Silver £500 or Bronze £250). Your and name (if permitted) can be put on the BSSH LION Website alongside other benefactors. All this activity small or large will energise the fundraising and inspire others to take part.
Read A Trainee’s Experience on the Project
https://publishing.rcseng.ac.uk/doi/10.1308/rcsbull.TB2024.11
Help us to Heal the Hands of Malawi
Please consider becoming a stakeholder in this unique project run by your society which is making a huge difference in one of the poorest countries in the world. For any Surgeons interested in volunteering please register your details on the QR code below.
For those attending the BSSH Autumn Meeting in Belfast, there will be an opportunity to meet with LION volunteers and ask questions at the Global Partnership Stand.
Kajal Gohil, Abigail Shaw and Jonathan Jones on behalf of
The BSSH LION Project Team
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