Relief and being able to get on with their lives was a common theme for the 50 people who received free procedures in Hamilton on Saturday 9 November, the first in a series of two Braemar Charitable Trust free community surgery days.
Hamilton’s Braemar Hospital seemed busier than usual on Saturday with two mobile dental units in the car park, volunteers supporting patients and a steady stream of people over the day. Included in the 50 procedures were 29 surgeries, 7 echo cardiograms and 14 dental procedures.
Sonam had been on a waitlist for nine months, suffering pain and stress from gallstones and feeling as though she was “always stuck in one place”. Having her gallbladder removed meant she could look forward to a life away from severe pain episodes.
“At times I have been unable to work, so we have struggled financially. I am looking forward to going back to a normal life after this surgery, caring for my daughter and getting back to work.”
Three-year-old Flynn’s mum, Lori is grateful for the opportunity to “get over this health hurdle”. Flynn’s tonsils had become so enlarged, he suffered from sleep apnoea and his condition exacerbated common cold symptoms, causing vomiting and more discomfort.
“Flynn has been on a waitlist to have his tonsils removed for close to two years, and it has been challenging and stressful listening to him trying to sleep while gasping for breath at times. Knowing he can sleep happily and grow and develop normally is a huge relief.”
In the hospital car park, two Trinity Koha Dental Clinic mobile vans were busy treating Waikato people. Trinity Koha runs under the umbrella of YWAM (Youth With a Mission) Ships Aotearoa bringing mobile dental clinics to underserved communities. Clinic coordinator Julia Parker says they prioritise people in pain.
“It’s a real privilege to be here, and for the 14 patients we are seeing today, I know this will be lifechanging because they live with so much pain every day. To have their dental issues resolved means they can be that person they want to be without having to struggle thanks to the Trust and the two Hamilton dentists who have volunteered their time for free today.”
Julia says they see the difference that treating dental issues helps.
“We meet mums and dads with ongoing pain who continue to go about their lives. They get up every morning and care for their kids, go to work – it really speaks for the resilience of people.”
The Trust owns Hamilton’s Braemar Hospital, and with the help of donations and donated time from surgeons and anaesthetists (and for the free community surgery day, many Braemar staff and external supporters), it funds free community surgeries for people in need.
Braemar Charitable Trust Manager Paula Baker says providing free surgeries on a Saturday for people in the Waikato community facing barriers to access is a dream come true for Braemar Charitable Trust, and a moving experience for her personally.
“I had an opportunity on Saturday while holding the fort at the Braemar Café, to just sit and watch. I had a bit of a moment! It was very emotional for me to reflect on the fact that people had volunteered to work on a Saturday at such a busy time of the year and that the day had really connected with them. I saw happy smiling faces, and experienced an atmosphere that was happy, calm and caring.”
Braemar Charitable Trust will provide more free surgeries on 23 November as part of its long-running Community Surgery Programme.
November’s free surgeries include paediatric dental and general surgery, minor plastics, general surgery procedures such as PR bleeding/haemorrhoid banding, gall bladder and colonoscopies, gynaecology procedures and children’s ENT procedures such as grommets, tonsils and adenoids.
The ANZ Staff Foundation and Hamilton’s Glenice and John Gallagher Foundation provided grants to help with hospital consumable costs relating to the community surgery days, that are provided by Braemar Hospital at cost. As well, a growing list of medical suppliers have contributed.
“Donations supplement the existing funding we have and mean we can achieve more. Every procedure has a profound impact, not only for the patient but also those they care for, and their ability to get on with life,” says Paula.
Braemar Charitable Trust has made donating simple with a new online donations portal where donors can choose to contribute to a specific procedure, scholarship or research. To find out more, visit braemartrust.co.nz.
Image: Braemar Charitable Trust Manager Paula Baker (third from left) with (LtoR) Trinity Koha Dental Clinic Coordinator Julia Parker, Hamilton dentist Fiona Koshy and Mercedes Dizon from Tui Dental.
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