Interesting talk for WI

CHERRILL welcomed us to the meeting of Barrowupon-Soar WI and introduced the speaker for the evening, Alison Briggs, from “Mercy Ships”.

We are very fortunate that we have access to our wonderful NHS service, which is not without its faults, but it is always present to provide our medical care.

Mercy Ships operate the largest charity-run hospital ships, providing free health care to the world’s poorest countries.

Founded in 1978 by Don & Deyon Stephens, ships that had been ocean liners and ferries were transformed into “floating hospitals”.

The medical staff and crew, volunteer their services for free, with only the Nepalese Ghurkas, who act as security guards, (protecting the medical equipment and deterring stowaways), on the payroll.

Since 1978, Mercy Ships have visited 55 countries, helping 2.5 million people. Local doctors and nurses in these countries have also gained from the training and expertise given by the medical staff on the Mercy Ships.

Alison gave us an insight into the desperation people suffer in the poorest countries.

Cleft lip and club feet are two conditions that can be simply treated in the UK when a child is very young but without medical care a child growing up without treatment can be shunned by society for looking and acting different.

Children’s lives can be transformed with the correct medical attention they receive on the ship.

Women who have no medical assistance whilst giving birth can be injured with a difficult labour, which can result in obsteric damage called a fistula which leaves them doubly incontinent. Again, society can treat them as outcasts but this is another treatable condition.

A cataract operation in the UK is done as a day patient but left untreated results in blindness. Patients who have had this done on the ship are so thankful to have their sight back.

In the UK we can wait 5/7 days for the results of a blood test but on a Mercy Ship blood tests are scanned to labs in Bristol by satellite with little waiting. Incidentally, the crew members donate blood which is sent directly to the operating theatre.

Hope Centres dealing with after care are established in all countries visited.

They have been called “a home away from home”, with knitted teddies on each bed.

Relatives/carers are encouraged to stay and provide care and support.

Alison thanked us for the toothbrushes and toothpaste which we collected for the Mercy Ships (11,000 brushes are given out each year). We thanked her for her interesting and thoughtprovoking talk.

It certainly make us value our NHS.

Next month’s meeting is on September 12, at 7.30pm at the Cons Club function room when we will be having a Harvest Supper with entertainment.

Guest are always welcome.

Pat Moore