WRAL's Amanda Lamb travels with Duke neurosurgeons to Uganda
We met with the 22 medical personnel from Duke's Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neuroscience heading to Uganda tomorrow. Eight tons of medical equipment was shipped, and each one of them is also bringing a suitcase packed with more medical supplies. They will be setting up two operating rooms at Mengo Hospital in Uganda's capital, Kampala. They will also be training medical personnel and performing life-saving and life-altering surgeries. The program is headed by Dr. Michael Haglund who goes twice a year.
At the packing party tonight we met people who had been going for ten years, and can't wait to go back. One nurse anesthesiologist told me he has even brought his two daughters, and one will be meeting us there this time.
We also talked to several people who have never been before and believe it will be a life-transforming experience to see a community that does not have what we have and is so appreciative of the help they are bringing.
One of the women told me: "I want to remember why I became a nurse in the first place." She believes she will reconnect with that purpose in Uganda.
It will take us two full days to get there. Tomorrow we fly to Atlanta, and then Amsterdam, and then Africa. We won't arrive until late Saturday night. Time difference is seven hours, so when the afternoon news is starting, we will be getting ready for bed.
I am excited, nervous and overwhelmed by the opportunity to share what people right here in the Triangle are doing for others half a world away. Follow our journey on wral.com and on social media.
