We had expected Dr. Matthias Stephani to arrive at the hospital on Monday March 11. But his long journey to Curahuasi turned into an obstacle course. Due to winter storms in Europe, he missed his flight connection, his trip through the mountains was hindered by two mud slides and his luggage got stuck somewhere between Europe and South America.
When Matthias Stephani finally arrived in Curahuasi on Tuesday afternoon, everybody was happy and relieved. His first patient (with an invagination of the small intestines) was already on the OR table.
The doctor was barely able to take of his backback before he got to work. You couldn’t tell he had been on the road for many hours straight – he was focused, calm and successful.
Our international OR staff at work: Dr. Matthias Stephani and Dr. Frank Noeh from Germany, anesthesiologist Dr. Paul Kuraguntla from the US and periop nurse Marleny. Never a dull moment at the missionary hospital. By the way, this is the seventh time that the surgeon from Germany is visiting Diospi Suyana. Once again, we can only say: THANK YOU!
Report and photo by Dr. Martina John during the night shift.
