For the eighth year, Dr. Jason Frischer and Dr. Beth Rymeski of the Colorectal Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, will lead a team to Bugando Medical Center (BMC) in Mwanza, Tanzania. BMC is a facility that serves the Lake region’s 16 million people.
The need
Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa, with a population of 61 million. 44% of the population is less than 15 years old, making it one of the youngest populations in the world. Although the median age is only 17 years old, life expectancy is 63 years. There are only 2 physicians per 100,000 residents (for comparison, the United States has 2,600 per 100,000).
Due to cultural beliefs that ARM (anorectal malformations) are a curse, children often live in the shadow of shame, unable to attend school. Luckily, these children are identified and advocated for, allowing our team to provide them with the life-changing care they deserve
Due to cultural beliefs that ARM (anorectal malformations) are a curse, children often live in the shadow of shame, unable to attend school. Luckily, these children are identified and advocated for, allowing our team to provide them with the life-changing care they deserve
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ZainabuIn 2016, Dr. Frischer’s team saw a 3-year-old girl named Zainabu. Sadly, due to a previously undiagnosed heart defect, the team was unable to correct her condition at the time. However, we made sure that when our cardiac team traveled to Dar Es Salaam in 2017, Zainabu would be on the list to have her heart repaired. When Dr. Frischer saw her again at BMC in 2018, he was able to safely operate and correct her congenital malformation. Recently, we checked back in on Zainabu when she returned for a follow-up visit by our 2022 TZ Cardiac Mission team. She is now an older sister to two siblings and is thriving in life.
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Progress and goals
To date, Mending Kids has provided access to critical surgical care for 150 kids at BMC. Since the ARM mission's inception in 2015, Dr. Frischer's and Dr. Rymeski’s team have mended over 95 children and aided in diagnosing a hundred more. The team radiologists have taught local colleagues in all aspects of colorectal imagery, ensuring that all patients are properly diagnosed. This is a vital first step in deciding the best course of treatment.
Moreover, during each trip, the Mending Kids colorectal team has tirelessly trained local nurses and parents on bowel-prep techniques and post-operative bowel management, ensuring that all patients remain healthy.
Dr. Frischer and Dr. Rymeski and their team are enthusiastic about expanding the scope and complexity of their procedures, and doing so while remaining focused on exchanges of knowledge and hands-on training, which will ultimately elevate the standard of care.
The mission seeks funds through the generosity of individual donors, modest foundation grants, and medical in-kind grants from partners such as Medshare, Americares, Vyaire, Fick Family Foundation, and Cincinnati Children’s hospital.
Our goal is to deploy Dr. Frischer and his team annually for the next 5 years.
Moreover, during each trip, the Mending Kids colorectal team has tirelessly trained local nurses and parents on bowel-prep techniques and post-operative bowel management, ensuring that all patients remain healthy.
Dr. Frischer and Dr. Rymeski and their team are enthusiastic about expanding the scope and complexity of their procedures, and doing so while remaining focused on exchanges of knowledge and hands-on training, which will ultimately elevate the standard of care.
The mission seeks funds through the generosity of individual donors, modest foundation grants, and medical in-kind grants from partners such as Medshare, Americares, Vyaire, Fick Family Foundation, and Cincinnati Children’s hospital.
Our goal is to deploy Dr. Frischer and his team annually for the next 5 years.
thank you to our amazing mission sponsors
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Fick Family
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