Operation Childlife have sent volunteers, Professor Martin Corbally (Consultant Paediatric Surgeon and OCL Programme Director) Professor Fergal Quinn (Consultant Paediatric Surgeon and Urologist) on individual trips, and two teams, to the Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam in 2023. The earlier trips were focused on individual complex cases and surgical interventions on sick children. The October team was led by a Paediatric Intensive Care specialist, and focused on working with Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) staff to improve outcomes for the children in their care. The OCL team were directly involved in the care of 17 children in the (PICU), and engaged with a large number of PICU staff and performed bedside training (approximately 25 nurses and 10 doctors).
The April team consisted of: Professor Martin Corbally (Consultant Paediatric Surgeon OCL Programme Director), Dr Dahfir Alkudaisi (Consultant Anaesthetist) and Dr Ramaning Loni (Consultant Paediatric Intensivist). The October team consisted of: Dr Aisling Walsh (Consultant in Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine, CHI Temple Street, Dublin), Nurse Laura Keogh (Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Temple Street, Dublin) and Dr Dawn Deacy, GP Trainee, St Michael’s Hospital, Dun Laoghaire. Dr Deacy is a recipient of the Operation Childlife Travel Fellowship in partnership with the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland.