A significant humanitarian initiative recently took place in Cameroon, bringing together 40 specialists from around the world to provide critical surgical care to vulnerable populations. This mission, conducted from May 6 to May 14, 2023, at the Yaoundé Military Hospital, was organized by the ASAF Cameroon Foundation in collaboration with the Restore Foundation. With the expertise of surgeons, anesthetists, nurses, surgical assistants, and technicians from Africa, Europe, and the United States, hundreds of people received essential medical care.
Among the patients who benefited from this initiative is Emmanuel, a 13-year-old boy who exemplifies the profound impact of this mission. Born with cryptorchidism, a condition where the testicles fail to descend properly, Emmanuel required an expensive surgical intervention. His parents, hoping the issue would resolve naturally, eventually realized surgery was necessary. In a private clinic in Cameroon, this operation would have cost around 1,000 euros, an amount far beyond the family’s reach. However, thanks to the reconstructive surgery mission organized by ASAF Cameroon and the Restore Foundation, Emmanuel was able to undergo the procedure at no cost. This gesture not only corrected his condition but also provided the necessary post-operative care to ensure a smooth recovery. In just a few days, Emmanuel will be able to lead a normal life, like any other child his age.
The mission was marked by complex and delicate interventions performed by internationally renowned experts. One of the most remarkable cases was that of a 4-year-old child who had lost the ability to close his right eye following a car accident. Under the care of American surgeon Clement Qaqish and Senegalese surgeon Abibou Ndiaye, both specialists in maxillofacial surgery, a successful skin graft was performed on the child’s eyelids. This operation, typically inaccessible to most Cameroonian families due to its cost and complexity, allowed the child to regain normal eye function.
Dr. Abibou Ndiaye, who worked alongside Dr. Qaqish, emphasized the importance of such reconstructive surgeries in Africa, where these practices are still rare. “Reconstructive surgery is not yet widespread in Africa, but missions like this allow us to address critical medical needs and significantly improve patients’ quality of life,” said Dr. Ndiaye.
The scale of this humanitarian mission exceeded the organizers’ expectations. The Yaoundé Military Hospital saw an influx of patients from all regions of Cameroon, drawn by the hope of receiving specialized care that is usually out of their reach. Dr. Paa Ekow Hoyte-Williams, from the Restore Foundation, explained that their priority was to treat the most complex cases, those where surgical intervention could truly transform patients’ lives.
This initiative was made possible by the commitment of Eran Moas, the Israeli entrepreneur leading the ASAF Cameroon Foundation. Deeply involved in improving the living conditions of the most disadvantaged populations, Moas successfully mobilized significant resources to provide medical solutions to those in dire need. The Restore Foundation, led by Ghanaian-born plastic surgeon Michael Obeng, also played a crucial role in this mission by bringing their expertise and coordinating the international effort.
This mission is not just an example of international solidarity but also a model of what collaboration between local and international actors can achieve. The efforts of ASAF Cameroon are part of a continuous commitment to improving access to healthcare for the most vulnerable, and this reconstructive surgery mission is just one of many initiatives aimed at providing everyone with the opportunity to live a healthy life.
