TREATMENT: Currently, treatment options
are not available for most people living in remote areas of
West Africa. Most people in the endemic areas can not even
cope with the cost of living standards. Surgical treatment
of Buruli is currently averaging $800. People living in remote
areas of developing countries have no extra money for such
expenses. HART will continue to provide free treatment of
Buruli Ulcer to those suffering from both early and late stage
ulcers, and will implement mobile surgical units to help relieve
the burden currently faced by local providers. HART surgeons
can do a great deal to reduce the current patient loads, by
teaching local health care providers the requisite skills
to manage these cases. Mobile surgical units will provide
a way for HART to collaborate with the local providers by
facilitating local doctors as staff for the units and the
materials needed to perform the treatments.
OUTREACH: Community outreach and surveillance
is a crucial element to early detection and control of Buruli
Ulcer. As community outreach is often the only source of organized
health care in remote areas, HART volunteers provide basic
care and instruction to those inflicted with Buruli Ulcer.
The outreach team is expected to work closely with indigenous
leaders in all activities. Outreach volunteers prepare for
the arrival of the medical and surgical units, and follow-up
after they move on.
Community outreach and surveillance is a crucial element
to early detection and control of Buruli ulcer. A team of
HART and localcommunity volunteers focus on identifying and
organizing village healthcare workers, and establishing a
sustainable system for village-based education and surveillance.
As community outreach is often the only source of organized
health care in remote areas, HART volunteers provide basic
care and instruction to those inflicted with Buruli ulcer.
The outreach team is expected to work closely with indigenous
leader in all activities. These volunteers also prepare for
the arrival of and follow-up after departure of the medical
and surgical teams.
Our research team is made up of graduate students from campuses
around the nation who work along-side professors and doctors
of their universities.
<< BACK
| 
