Trip to Tambankhulu

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Shortly after we arrived back at the clinic, the van with another group from the big team arrived to pick us up to take us to a remote village to join the Luke Commission. Their vision is to save the Swazi people from extinction due to the pandemics of TB and HIV/AIDS by delivering compassionate comprehensive healthcare to the most isolated rural pareas of Swaziland. It was founded in 2004 by Dr. Harry and Echo (PAC) VanderWal and since then, the VanderWals have conducted more than 120 mobile medical clinics throughout this country with the highest AIDS rate in the world. A non-profit organization from the United States, The Luke Commission is funded by individuals, schools, businesses, churches, and community organizations in the U.S.A. and Canada, who donate their time and their money to enable the VanderWals to buy medical supplies, medications, eyeglasses, Bibles, clothes, and shoes...in turn, these are given free to the Swazi people. They go to remote rural areas of the country, often across tough roads and work with communities to provide comprehensive health care. As they meet the overall needs for the Swazi's, they've gained their trust and have made major breakthroughs in the challenge of HIV testing, treatment with anti-retroviaral drugs, TB therapy and male circumcision (thought to reduce the spread of HIV by 60% in Africans). Because of their great relationship with the Swazi people, they have been embraced by the patients, the Swazi government and foreign governments investing in the AIDS epidemic here. They are relentless - their clinics travel to two communities each week. They see between 500-600 patients each day. They bring diagnostics, surgical and medical equipment. They set up shop, register and evaluate all patients - typically ending well into the night time. We added an eye care service while with the team. Part of the team from Oklahoma brought a new digital radiology system that was first used at the Tambankhulu clinic. All very impressive work. Their four boys are integral to the operation (oldest is 12) and very involved in the surgical suite. And Echo is 36 weeks pregnant!

www.lukecommission.org/

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