LAGOS, NIGERIA – April 21, 2026
Day 3: Every Case Tells A Story
Lily during the morning emergency session with Team LASUTH
We are halfway through the mission. The first patients are recovering, the team is finding its rhythm, and every day brings something new to learn.
The morning started with an emergency training session led by our PACU nurse Lily. For some of the Team LASUTH, it was the first time they had ever seen an AED. One of the nurses said exactly that. It was eye opening to see the local team huddle up with the interest and curiosity of something you know will help you save a life. The equipment we brought is only as useful as the people who know how to use it
We continue to spread the word and we see some results. Our Mission Director Tina joined an interview on the local radio and, at the same time, we had a new walk-in. After the screening, the patient was ruled out for surgery, but we improved her conditions as much as we could through dental cleaning and speech therapy session. That is the multidisciplinary approach in practice. And the more people know we are here, the more lives we can reach.
Barbara visiting Daniel during the morning check-in
Do you remember Daniel from the first daily briefing? There is more to his story, and it says a lot about why awareness matters. His mother found out about her son’s palate condition not from a doctor, but from a flyer at her church that had a picture of a cleft palate. She had always known about cleft lips, everyone does here. But the palate issue was unknown to her until she saw that image. The light went on, and she brought her son here. She said most people in her community still do not know the palate can be fixed. Awareness saves lives, and a picture is worth more than we think.
A father hugs his child before surgery
Ariella with her mum after today′s operation