Mission Trip to Zambia

1-Month-Long Mission Trip to Zambia

The trip to Zambia was planned in partnership with CMMB over more than six months. After nearly 30 hours of travel, I arrived at Mwandi Hospital in the rural Western Province. There, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by healthcare providers—there are no trained obstetricians/gynecologists, and general practitioners deliver care while managing frequent shortages of blood, sutures, and even basic resuscitation equipment.

Despite these obstacles, we were able to perform dozens of life-saving and life-changing surgeries. The resilience and dedication of the local medical team were truly inspiring.

In Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, I had the opportunity to share knowledge in Female Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery (FPRS). In a country of over 21 million people, there is currently not a single surgeon formally trained to treat conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence—leaving millions of women without access to essential care.

The experience was both eye-opening and deeply motivating. The doctors’ enthusiasm for learning was remarkable. Through lectures, daily discussions, and hands-on surgical collaboration, we worked together to begin addressing pelvic floor disorders. The gratitude expressed by patients was profound and humbling.  After a 1-month-long trip, it is nice to be back home safely.

Given the immense need, I believe that training Zambian Ob/Gyns to care for women with complex pelvic floor conditions is just the beginning. This effort marks an important new chapter in the mission of the Freed & Kwon Humanitarian Foundation