MDM Cyprus have materialized 3 missions
within the republic of Georgia. The first mission- exploratory mission
took place in 1999. In 2000 a team of four volunteers (all doctors) visited
the Children's Hospitals of Kareli and Tbilisi. The team performed 34
surgical operations on children suffering congenital malformations and
examined 140 children. During this mission Prof. Dr. Eleni Theocharous
also gave lectures to the local doctors on post-operative care in order
for the doctors to be able to take care of the operated children after
the team would leave the Hospital.
The third mission took place in 2002.
The team of 3 volunteers (2 doctors and an administrator) worked in Batumi
(the capital city of the autonomous Region of Atjara within the Republic
of Georgia). During this mission 25 children were operated and 130 were
examined.
MDM Cyprus have sent two containers (one with clothes and one with food and medical aid) to the people of Georgia. The first container was distributed (by MDM's local volunteer partners) to the people of Georgia six months ago (immediately after the earthquake). The second container was distributed one week ago to the people of Batumi.
The republic of Georgia has been described as one of the poorest countries of the Former Soviet Union. The conditions in Kareli and Batumi are very bad. The buildings are falling apart, the people are poor and there is a large number of children suffering from severe congenital malformations. The Hospitals are not properly equipped (they are in need of beds, mattresses, surgical equipment, antibiotics and other medical supplies).
MDM Cyprus have started collecting clothes, blankets and sheets in order to send a third container to the Republic of Georgia. The clothes shall be distributed to the homeless people (who lost their homes during the recent earthquake). A team of surgeons shall visit the Children's Hospital in Batumi again in September in order to perform operations on children already been examined by the team that visited the Hospital last week.
Mariangela Shiakalli - Vice President
Medecins du Monde - Chypre