Medical professional from Guernsey performs charitable anesthesia services in Rwanda

Dr. Michelle Le Cheminant, a Guernsey anaesthetist, recently participated in a charity trip to Rwanda with Orbis, a global organisation dedicated to preventing and treating blindness. The training, which took place on board the Flying Eye Hospital and in partnership with the Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology and Kibagabaga Hospital, aimed to support local eye care teams in treating more people at risk of blindness, raising awareness about eye health, and expanding access to sight-saving care.

Cataract, the most common cause of blindness, was a significant focus of the training. An estimated 1.2 million people in Rwanda live with sight loss, and an estimated 20,000 people in the country are blind. The training equipped local teams with the necessary skills to perform cataract surgeries, offering hope to many who are currently without access to this essential treatment.

During the training, a trainee anaesthetist learned a new skill, an eye block, which is crucial for ensuring patient comfort during cataract surgery. The local team in Rwanda was welcoming and enthusiastic about learning, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving eye care in their country.

Dr. Le Cheminant, who has volunteered with Orbis since 2017, found the experience beneficial for her patients in Guernsey as she learns from other volunteer doctors. She emphasised the importance of training the next generation of anaesthetists in Rwanda for safe surgery.

One of the highlights of Dr. Le Cheminant's trip was her interaction with a charismatic elderly patient, a potato farmer, who underwent successful surgery. The Flying Eye Hospital, an aircraft that doubles as a teaching hospital and a hospital with an operating theater, recovery room, and classroom, provided a unique setting for the training and surgery.

Sadly, only half of those who need glasses in Rwanda have them, and only 30% of people who need cataract surgery receive it. The training and subsequent surgeries conducted on the Flying Eye Hospital are a significant step towards addressing these alarming statistics and improving eye health in Rwanda.

Dr. Jean Paul Nsengimana, the leader of the Orbis action in Rwanda, expressed his gratitude for Dr. Le Cheminant's contribution. The partnership between Orbis and Rwanda continues to strive towards a future where everyone in Rwanda can see.

Medical professional from Guernsey performs charitable anesthesia services in Rwanda