One week after our ship sailed into Togo, the Africa Mercy's medical pre-screening team, crew and local day volunteer/translators set out before dawn on February 16th to begin the first day of a ten week process of medical screenings. Non medical crew assisted with security, crowd control and escorting patients from the long waiting lines into the pre- screening grounds. Prayer was provided for those who were unfortunately not eligible for surgery.
(photo: Liz Cantu)
Thousands of people waited outside the screening gate, pushing and shoving for a chance to be seen. Watching those that were not eligible, slump away in despair was the most heart breaking part of the screening process for me. The medical need is extremely great in West Africa, my heart wept for those that were turned away. But for those eligible, I thank God for and pray we can make a difference in their lives...one patient at a time! It was however a blessing to witness a mood of despair transform into a spirit of joy on the faces of patients we scheduled for surgery. Their happiness shed a whole new light on my purpose in why I serve in this ministry. 
The children tug at my heart strings. There are so many in need of specialized surgical care. 
During the first week of pre-screening (Feb 16th-18th) combined crowds of 3,100 people were seen with over 700 examined by the medical crew. A total of 126 people were scheduled for surgery and another 121 were given appointments for doctors pre screening back on the Africa Mercy moored in Lome port. Specialized surgeries performed this field service will include Maxillo-facial, orthopaedics, plasitcs and VVF.
The Togo field service medical pre-screening is being conducted significantly different this year in comparison to previous field services. Rather than screening the masses in one day at one location, Mercy Ships is holding several pre-screenings in various locations around the Lome community over a ten week period. This change is due in part from the Togolese government in order to maintain a greater level of safety, security and crowd control during the Presidential election campaigns. (Election day March 4th) as well as Mercy Ships effort to schedule more surgeries per patients screened.
According to our screening coordinator, the new screening process should reduce the number of no shows as well as enable Mercy Ships to accommodate more people. In addition to the various pre-screening coastal locations in Lome, the capital of Togo, Mercy Ships has a mobile screening team in various regions upcountry near the Burkino Faso border, approx 14 hr drive from Lome, the interior plains and regions within a 2-8 hr drive from the coast. Accepted patients will be transported to the port of Lome where the ship is moored for a second physicians screening aboard the ship. Those that are accepted and scheduled for surgery the next day, will be admitted to the hospital ward. Patients who's surgery is scheduled later in the week will be housed at The Hospitality Centre, a buidling provided for Mercy Ships to house those out of the Lome region or upcountry patients until their surgery date.
Ans Rozema pre screens a lady with a very large Maxillo Facial tumor. She was accepted for surgery.
Me bonding with the women, sharing a few laughs together. This woman breaks out with the biggest smile as she proudly displays her surgery appointment card. For years she has suffered with the large neck tumor, hiding it in shame. Now after her surgery, she will have an opportunity for a greater quality of life and acceptance amongst her family and community.
A Young mand with a large tumor to his right cheek 
Dr Gary Parker examines a man with a large keloid behind his right ear. 
He was accepted for surgery!
He was accepted for surgery!
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