It is quite a joy to work alongside the PAACS residents training here in Bongolo. PAACS stands for Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons and was started here at Bongolo Hospital. It has expanded to many more hospitals throughout Africa and is a wonderful model of training and discipleship (see link above for more information). Christian physicians who graduate from medical schools all across Africa apply for the PAACS surgical residency. Once accepted they are assigned to one of the PAACS locations. They are either sponsored by a hospital in an under served area in one of the African countries or the PAACS program will sponsor them. After they complete the surgical residency (5 years), they are required to return to their sponsored hospital or the PAACS program will place them in an under served area. Upon returning, they not only provide much needed health care, but they are looked upon as Christian leaders in the community as well.
Where does anesthesia fit in all this. Well, many of the locations where the surgeons will be working after graduation have very little or poor anesthesia services. Many times, the surgeon is not only doing the surgery, but also doing or overseeing the anesthesia. A lot of my time spent here is devoted to training the residents in basic anesthesia skills through lectures and clinical teaching. Aside from the medical education, it has been a joy to develop relationships with these wonderful men of God. They have taught me some things!!
Thanks again for your prayers and support.
