A team of six medical specialists from the Swansea Bay University Health Board traveled to Zimbabwe to establish a new pediatric urology service at the Cure International Children’s Hospital in Bulawayo. CURE International operates specialized hospitals across Africa and Asia, focusing on providing surgical care for children with treatable conditions in underserved regions.
The Welsh group, led by consultant pediatric plastic surgeon Nick Wilson-Jones and consultant pediatric urologist Selena Curkovic, volunteered their annual leave to train local medical staff in treating hypospadias, a congenital condition where the urethral opening is located on the underside of the penis rather than at the tip.
During their week-long mission, the team conducted a comprehensive clinic that drew families from across Zimbabwe, with some making journeys of up to 500 kilometers seeking treatment for their children. The dedication of these families, who traveled such distances for specialized care, underscored the critical need for the new service. The medical professionals operated on 20 patients ranging in age from four months to 17 years, while simultaneously training local surgeons, nurses, and support staff in techniques and protocols developed in Wales.
The mission faced significant practical challenges that tested the team’s adaptability. Limited access to medical records complicated cases requiring revision surgery, medication shortages required creative solutions, and restricted theater resources demanded careful planning. Despite these constraints, the multidisciplinary approach proved effective in delivering quality care while building local expertise.
Pediatric nurse specialist Louise Scannell worked closely with families and hospital staff to explain surgical procedures and address concerns, while consultant pediatric anesthetist Sabello Ndlovu’s local background and fluency in the regional language proved invaluable in bridging cultural and communication gaps.
The collaboration yielded tangible results beyond the immediate surgeries performed. Local plastic surgery and urology teams developed concrete plans for ongoing cooperation, scheduling joint surgical sessions immediately following the Welsh team’s departure.
Wilson-Jones emphasized how the experience enriched both sides of the partnership, noting that the intensive week would enhance hypospadias care delivery back in Wales while expressing the team’s strong desire to return for follow-up procedures and continued mentoring. The initiative exemplifies how international medical partnerships can effectively address specialized care gaps while building sustainable local capacity for treating complex pediatric conditions.
Read the original article from the Swansea Bay University Health Board: Experts give up their spare time to share skills to help children with genital abnormalities in Africa
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