Zambia : Kasama Residents Benefit From Hip Surgeries

An emergency medicine specialist from the United Kingdom says the rise in motorcycle‑related trauma in Zambia is worrying. Dr Trish O'Connor of FlySpec, an international flying medical charity, said the increase in motorcycles has led to fatal and serious injury accidents being recorded on a daily basis. Dr O'Connor told the media during a hip‑surgery camp at Kasama General Hospital that the situation has resulted in a surge in the number of people suffering from hip‑bone malformations. 'The amount of trauma in Zambia has just taken off exponentially and the massive rise we have seen in the last few years really due to increase in motor cycles,' Dr O'Connor said She disclosed that during the just ended hip camp in Kasama, the team attended to patients with arthritis, sickle‑cell anaemia and serious trauma. FlySpec Orthopaedic Surgeon Alberto Gregori disclosed that the team has, in the recent past, conducted hip‑surgery camps in different parts of Zambia. Dr Gregori said FlySpec provides free orthopaedic surgical services to vulnerable individuals, with support from its partners who donate implants. 'We have been to Mazabuka, Nakonde, Mbala, Mpulungu and other towns to help people especially in rural areas who have broken their hips,' he said. Meanwhile, Kasama General Hospital Orthopaedic Surgery Registrar Josphat Mwanza said the continued outreach programmes by medical experts in various fields are key to skill and knowledge transfer. And patients who benefited from the hip‑surgery camp have thanked FlySpec for helping the vulnerable. William Sichula said he was previously unable to undergo surgery because he could not afford the 25,000 kwacha required for the procedure. Loading read count...