African proverb:
"The best time to plant a tree
was twenty years ago.
The next best time is now."

The mission was financed by Cheira, a volunteer-run organization that has been carrying out surgical-medical missions in various African countries for years. Cheira is part of the Rotary Club Appenzell.

The aim of this intensive week was to improve the treatment of women with breast tumors with the local health professionals. As a result, a concept was to be developed that would enable low-cost and affordable treatment for destitute patients.

A woman in Uganda has an average income of 2 to 3 dollars per day. With this income, she cannot afford to visit an oncologist. In addition, the medication for chemotherapy is unaffordable.

A breast amputation costs from 1,000 francs, if available at all, and is not financially feasible for the families. There is a single radiation device in all of Uganda, and it was defective and out of operation during our stay.

Therefore, most women go to the «Witch-Doctor» from the beginning, and when they come to the hospitals, the terminal stage has usually been reached.

Quote from a patient: «My family did not have the money to have the tumor clarified by a doctor, let alone finance an operation.»

In 2021, Cheira donated an ultrasound machine to the Herona Hospital. The hospital serves the rural population in a very poor region. Meanwhile, the ultrasound machine, in addition to the laboratory results, is the most important diagnostic tool. With the improved diagnostics, many breast tumors were soon diagnosed. But what to do? The hospital cannot offer the treatments without help. There is a lack of money, expertise, pathology diagnostics. A concept is needed for how a treatment can be offered cost-effectively.

During the week, the team examined 70 patients and performed 24 procedures. In addition, through discussions with local health professionals, they found representatives from a technical pathology diagnostics company to be able to offer a reliable diagnosis safely and quickly for around 40 dollars.

The concept would be feasible. Now it is in the hands of the hospital staff to bring the rural women to the hospital for screening if they are suspected of having the disease. The start has been successful!