A local doctor will be taking part in a charity visit to Ethiopia next month to provide young, under-privileged children with life-changing facial surgery.
Penny Minchin from Balham will be part of the medical trip organised by Project Harar Ethiopia, a UK charity organising life-changing facial surgery, for those living in rural Ethiopia.
The team of 14 medics will be providing treatment for up to 50 patients with complex facial disabilities including animal wounds, dental problems, burns and a devastating facial infection called Noma.
The surgery will take place at a public hospital called Addis Ababa and with the assistance of local medical staff, pre and post-operation care will be provided for at a nearby specialist rehabilitation centre called Cheshire Home.
The team which will be made up of mostly NHS staff including specialist surgeons, nurses and anaesthetists value the opportunity to be able to provide treatment to those most in need overseas.
Penny and her colleagues will also be providing medical training for local doctors and nurses in Ethiopia, hoping to enhance their skills, enabling them to carry out complex facial operations in the future.
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