Ukrainian Doctors Aid in Belize During Medical Mission
A surgeon from the Children’s Medicine Center at Ohmatdyt Hospital has volunteered for the first time during a U.S. medical mission in Belize. Maxillofacial surgeon Khrystyna Pohorilna joined a team of doctors from the U.S. charity LEAP Global Missions. She was also joined by ophthalmology intern Oleksandra Rybalkina from the Military Medical Clinical Center of the Western Region.
The Mission and Its Participants
The mission team included specialists of various fields – plastic, reconstructive, and oculoplastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, anesthesiologists, an orthodontist, and a dentist. American doctors gladly accepted doctors from Lviv into their team, which assisted patients in Belize at the Northern Regional Hospital in Orange Walk.
The mission focused on eye surgery, skin cancer diagnosis and treatment (Mohs surgery), and providing dental care. From April 4 to 7, doctors provided aid to everyone in need. All surgeries for Belizean patients were free of charge.
“In Belize, there were many patients needing plastic and reconstructive facial surgeries. I worked alongside Dr. Tripp Parker, a specialist in plastic, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgery, as well as oculoplastic surgeons Dr. Ivan Vrcek and Dr. Alden Gregston. Together, we restored patients’ faces after removing tumors, deformities, and skin cancers, closing defects and performing facial skin grafts,” explains Khrystyna Pohorilna.
Skin cancer is very prevalent in the Orange Walk region, so the team treated patients needing both diagnosis and treatment.
“Europeans and Mennonites who settled here in the 19th century live in this region. Light skin, not adapted to the scorching sun of Central America, suffers from skin cancer. There are many locals with this condition. In Belize, we removed tumors, performed plastic surgeries on cancer-affected areas, and covered them with skin grafts,” adds the doctor.
History and Achievements of LEAP Global Missions
LEAP Global Missions has been organizing charitable reconstructive surgery missions in Belize for over 30 years. The primary focus is treating various ophthalmic disorders and children with congenital cleft lips and palates. Over time, the mission expanded to include plastic and reconstructive surgeons to better address the country’s medical needs. Additionally, dental and orthodontic care, hand surgery, as well as skin cancer diagnostics and treatment are provided.
“Since the onset of the full-scale war, our American friends have been helping us with the most difficult cases, saving young Ukrainians affected by the war. But Ukrainian doctors can also help those in need of specialized care. I gratefully accepted the invitation from American colleagues— for the sake of Ukraine’s children, we need to expand the circle of goodwill among professionals worldwide. They help us—we help too. We learn, improve skills, and can help not only our patients in Ukraine but also children around the world because we uniquely understand what it is like to live in challenging times,” explains surgeon Khrystyna Pohorilna.
Doctors managed to examine over 100 patients, 40 of whom required surgical intervention, and over 20 needed minor surgical procedures.
Don’t forget, LEAP Global Missions is a non-profit organization based in Dallas, Texas (USA). It improves lives worldwide by providing specialized medical and surgical care to those lacking access to it in their country. Since 1991, the LEAP team has performed over 10,500 free operations for people from various countries, including Ukraine.
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