Report on the 34th Medical Mission

First Medical Mission to Bangladesh

Hello.

At approximately 11:00 a.m. today, everyone at our clinic gathered around the television.

Footage filmed by the MBC production team that accompanied our recent overseas medical mission was broadcast on the program Hope Relay.

Dr. Gyung Bai Choi said that rather than simply using the broadcast to raise awareness of JC BITSOMANG EYE CLINIC, he hoped it would help more people understand how greatly medical volunteer work can encourage and transform the lives of others—and inspire them to take part as well.

This mission was especially meaningful for another reason. During the overseas outreach, Dr. Choi performed his 2,000th cataract surgery through international medical missions.

He renewed his commitment to continue serving until the number of patients reaches 10,000. Seeing his passion, we smiled and wondered whether 10,000 might someday become 100,000—or even one million.

Bangladesh Mission Report

Mission Team

Bitsomang Medical Mission Team: 8 members

  • Medical professionals: 6

  • Volunteer supporters: 2

Good People World Blindness Prevention Team: 7 members

Total participants: 15

Mission Dates: September 25–30, 2005
Duration: Six days and five nights

Detailed Schedule

September 25

  • 1:00 p.m. — Gather at Incheon International Airport

  • 4:30 p.m. — Depart for Bangladesh

  • 7:30 p.m. — Arrive in Hong Kong

September 26

  • 12:15 a.m. — Depart from Hong Kong

  • 3:00 a.m. — Arrive at Dhaka International Airport, Bangladesh

  • 3:30 a.m. — Arrive at the accommodations in central Dhaka

  • 4:00 a.m. — Rest

  • 7:00 a.m. — Wake up

  • 7:30 a.m. — Breakfast

  • 8:00 a.m. — Depart for the medical outreach site

  • 9:30 a.m. — Arrive at the Korea–Bangladesh Friendship Hospital in the Bazar area, approximately 30 kilometers from Dhaka

The Korea–Bangladesh Friendship Hospital was constructed by the Korean government and donated to Bangladesh. Because the Bangladeshi government was unable to operate the facility, it was being managed by the Korea International Cooperation Agency, or KOICA.

  • 10:00 a.m. — Begin setting up the medical equipment and preparing for surgery

  • 12:30 p.m. — Lunch

  • 2:30 p.m. — Begin surgery

  • Around 3:00 p.m. — Power outage; conduct an emergency inspection

  • Around 4:00 p.m. — Power restored following emergency repairs; resume surgery

  • 7:30 p.m. — Complete surgeries for 7 patients

  • 10:00 p.m. — Dinner

  • 11:20 p.m. — Arrive at the accommodations and rest

September 27

  • 6:00 a.m. — Wake up

  • 6:30 a.m. — Breakfast

  • 7:00 a.m. — Depart for the medical outreach site

  • 9:00 a.m. — Begin morning surgeries

  • 12:00 p.m. — Complete morning surgeries for 12 patients

  • 12:30 p.m. — Lunch

  • 2:00 p.m. — Begin afternoon surgeries

  • 6:00 p.m. — Complete afternoon surgeries for 16 patients

Because of the unstable local power supply and limited infrastructure, electricity was interrupted twice during surgery, creating significant difficulties for the medical team.

  • 9:00 p.m. — Dinner

  • 12:00 a.m. — Rest

September 28

  • 6:00 a.m. — Wake up

  • 6:30 a.m. — Breakfast

  • 7:00 a.m. — Depart for the medical outreach site

  • 9:00 a.m. — Begin morning surgeries

  • 12:00 p.m. — Complete morning surgeries for 12 patients

Among the scheduled patients was a five-year-old child with congenital cataracts. Because the child required general anesthesia, surgery could not safely be performed under the available local conditions.

Dr. Gyung Bai Choi was deeply saddened that he could not operate. Concerned that the family might later be unable to afford treatment, he provided the child’s parents with the necessary intraocular lens and related surgical materials for a future procedure.

  • 12:30 p.m. — Lunch

  • 2:00 p.m. — Begin afternoon surgeries

  • 6:00 p.m. — Complete afternoon surgeries for 17 patients

A total of 64 patients underwent surgery during the mission.

With the completion of these procedures, Dr. Gyung Bai Choi reached the milestone of 2,000 cataract surgeries performed through overseas medical missions.

September 29

  • 8:00 a.m. — Wake up

  • 8:30 a.m. — Breakfast

  • Until 12:00 p.m. — Free time

  • 4:00 p.m. — Attend the graduation ceremony at a local textile technology school

  • 8:00 p.m. — Dinner

  • 11:00 p.m. — Arrive at Dhaka International Airport

September 30

  • 1:30 a.m. — Depart for Korea

  • 3:00 p.m. — Arrive at Incheon International Airport