A group of five medical volunteers from the US carried out a six-day hydrocele surgical mission trip to Cap-Haïtien, Haiti from January 26 to February 1st, and the mission team was led by the founding president of Surgeon Volunteers and Medical Volunteers International, Dr. Steven Shu, This is the 5th medical mission trip for the Make Men Smile® mission program in collaboration with the New Hope Hospital in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti.
Lymphatic filariasis is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease that causes severe lymphedema and scrotal hydrocele. Filarial scrotal hydrocele is the main cause of disability and disfigurement, as well as economic losses, social stigma, family disharmony and sexual difficulty. It requires surgery (hydrocelectomy) to cure it. An hour of surgery will completely change the life of a Haitian man. The “Make Men Smile®” hydrocele surgical program provides free surgical care for local patients with filarial hydroceles.
The mission team worked four full days at the New Hope Hospital in Cape-Haïtien. The surgical team performed 58 filarial hydrocele surgeries on 42 adult patients. Many of the cases of filarial hydroceles treated were bilateral. Dr. Kevin Lee performed the hydrocelectomy with scrotoplasty for a couple of patients with big size of hydrocele. The five (5) members of this medical mission team include:
- Dr. Steven Shu, a cosmetic surgeon and office proceduralist based in Edina, MN
- Dr. Kevin Lee, a urologist based in Winter Haven, Florida
- Dr. Haiping Liu, a general practician and office proceduralist in Chicago, IL
- Two non-medical assistants are Ms. Faye tian, and Mr. David Lee.
In the mid of week, the team had a day off for excursion. We visited two well-known historical sites, Sans Souci Palace and Citadelle fortress, and Cormier beach. Haiti has a lot of natural beauties God gave them. It is important to have stable political and social environment for tourism and business development.
The situation in Haiti needs attention and help, and we hope our continuation of our mission work at New Hope Hospital will make a positive impact on the Haitian community. We ask you to please send your thoughts and prayers to Haiti.
For more information about Make Men Smile® mission program, please visit MakeMenSmile.org.
