Asmev and Consulcesi Foundation, 47 interventions in 7 days with mission in Eritrea

2 Italian specialists alongside local doctors to promote growth in skills and operational autonomy

In just one week of mission at the Orotta hospital in Asmara, Eritrea, doctors Arturo Carluccini and Andrea Rocchegiani of the Association of Volunteer Doctors of Calabria (Asmev) performed 47 surgical operations and 135 specialist urological visits, often accompanied by ultrasound evaluations. The mission, supported by the Consulcesi Foundation, is part of a multi-year health cooperation project that aims to strengthen the Eritrean urological and nephrological system through direct assistance and continuous training of local health personnel.

In addition to the clinical activity - as stated in a note - the 2 Italian specialists have collaborated side by side with the Eritrean doctors, promoting the exchange of skills and operational autonomy. Particularly significant is the use of the procedure of extracorporeal lithotripsy with ultrasound targeting, in substitution of the radiological one, which is not working, a sign of the ability to adapt in a difficult context. Since the lithotripsy instrument, acquired 10 years ago thanks to the mediation of Dr. Toto Galanti, now requires maintenance interventions, Fondazione Consulcesi will evaluate technical support in the next mission, already scheduled for the autumn.

Active for over 15 years, the mission has already led to the creation of 2 dialysis centers in Asmara and Sembel, for over 6 thousand treatments per year, and to the regular presence of Italian volunteer doctors in the nephrology, urology and, soon, pediatric fields. The project is based on 3 pillars - patient care, technology transfer, continuous training - with the aim of: carrying out 2-3 missions per year; treating approximately 5 thousand chronic patients and 150 acute patients, promoting the self-sufficiency of local health facilities. For the future, the program includes a new urological mission in the fall, a technical intervention for the maintenance of diagnostic equipment and the integration of new technologies (such as urological laser and extracorporeal lithotripsy) in the nephrology, urology and pediatrics programs.

"The greatest thanks - says Francesco Zappone, vice president of Asmev - goes to the Consulcesi Foundation, now the main and indispensable supporter. An even greater thanks from all the surgical and nursing staff of the Orotta hospital, who awaits with affection every return of our team".

Simone Colombati, president of the Consulcesi Foundation, adds: "The missions in Eritrea represent the essence of our commitment: bringing concrete care where it is most needed and contributing to the autonomous growth of local health systems. Our support is not limited to direct intervention, we believe in a sustainable model, based on the sharing of skills and the continuous training of local health workers. Frontier medicine reminds us every day how solidarity can translate into real impact, and how alliances between third sector entities, volunteers and local institutions can make a difference. We are already evaluating supporting the maintenance of equipment, such as the lithotripter, to ensure continuity and quality in care".