Two patients in Shangombo District have received much-needed relief after undergoing successful surgical procedures during the Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) seven-day specialised medical outreach.

A 32-year-old woman, who had lived with an abdominal mass for approximately four months that had recently become associated with severe abdominal pain, underwent a diagnostic exploratory laparotomy after previous imaging investigations had not established the cause of the mass.

During the procedure, the ZFDS surgical team discovered a large right-sided ovarian cystic mass weighing approximately 3 kilograms. A unilateral oophorectomy was subsequently performed, successfully removing the affected ovary together with the mass.

In another case, a 74-year-old man received surgical treatment for a huge, long-standing painless hydrocele after living with the scrotal swelling for several years.

Following assessment, the surgical team performed a hydrocelectomy using Lord’s plication technique, successfully treating the condition.

The ZFDS surgical team also conducted other procedures during the outreach, including the excision of a sebaceous cyst and removal of lipomas, providing patients in Shangombo and surrounding communities with access to specialised surgical care closer to home.

The procedures were led by ZFDS Lead Surgeon Dr Kelly Makonko, assisted by Dr Ululi Wamunyima, Senior Medical Officer and Acting Hospital Medical In-Charge at Shangombo District Hospital; Dr David Chabala, Senior Medical Officer; Jacqueline Kalokoni, Registered Operating Theatre Nurse; Elizabeth Mulimba, Operating Theatre Nurse; Kaposhi Mwanagono, Anaesthetist; and Maria Kasaku, Runner.

The surgical interventions form part of the ongoing seven-day ZFDS specialised medical outreach in Shangombo District, which is providing surgical, general medical screening, dental, eye, laboratory and pharmacy services to communities.

Through the outreach, ZFDS continues to support the national health system by bringing specialised healthcare services closer to communities and helping reduce geographical barriers to accessing essential medical care, particularly for people living in hard-to-reach areas.