DanWagner, Pharm.D., MBA returns from his tenth medical mission trip to Nigeria, West Africa on January 23, 2010.  

The World Health Vision team returned from Nigeria, West Africa after a highly successful medical mission. This year’s group consisted of two PharmDs and three RNs.  We screened approximately 4,000 patients (for diabetes and hypertension) in 4 locations in the central Nigerian states of Nasarawa and Plateau.  The WHV team supplied many doses of free medicines, vitamins and other supplies to the poor and underserved people. We were able to leave behind at three hospitals 24 Freestyle Lite glucometers, with more than 10,000 extra strips, for the medical professionals to check their patients for diabetes after our team returned to the States.

The team was warmly greeted by everyone.  The Governor of Nasarawa State, His Excellency Akwe Doma provided for our team safe travel, comfortable accommodations, and delicious Nigerian meals.  The Governor is campaigning for his 2011 re-election by promising the people a “13 point plan” to improve living conditions in his State. One of his main objectives is health care and he made clear (on television and radio) that the WHV team is an important part of fulfilling his promise of better health care for all. We were also warmly received by the Deputy Governor, the Chief of the village of Azara, the Andoma of Doma (a high religious cleric) and the Emir of Lafia.  We were all given gifts and well wishes by these traditional leaders.

Our team worked extremely hard and everyone was very dedicated to fulfilling the purpose of the mission. We provided services to more people than we had expected and exhausted many of the medicines, supplements and supplies (we both shipped over and carried on the plane) sooner than expected.  For the first time, we were able to offer a program for patients suffering from poor vision due to a Vitamin A deficiency. Our “Vitamin A Program” consisted of distributing supplements that may help prevent an eye condition called xerophalmia.  Many children (ages 6 months-6 years) in the Third World are in danger of having underdeveloped tear ducts simply because they don’t receive adequate concentrations of Vitamin A- mainly a food deficiency.  This underdevelopment can lead to abnormal dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea leading to poor vision and possibly blindness.  Supplementing these babies and children (with the equivalent of 8 cents worth of Vitamin A in the form of Beta Carotene) can significantly reduce the risk.

A special THANK YOU to the many people who donated so generously to our 2010 medical mission.  We would appreciate any additional donations to help defray the enormous expenses of such a humanitarian undertaking. Your generosity can help us prepare for our next journey. The WHV continues to ship over packages of hypertension and diabetes medicines every month. 

Many Thanks and Remain Blessed,
Dr. Dan
WHV, PO Box 238, Wildwood, PA 15091