St John of God Subiaco Hospital Surgeon leads medical treatment and training in Africa

1 Aug 2020

Making the most of every opportunity to undertake international placements, Dr Forward has seen firsthand the profound difference this work can make to peoples’ lives.

Ultimately, this experience motivated Dr Forward to establish Australian Doctors for Africa (ADFA) in 2005, a not-for-profit organisation that provides voluntary medical aid to African communities.

“I recognised there was a great need for medical support and that a small amount of effort on our part could leave a lasting impact on the lives and health of the people and communities we assisted,” said Dr Forward.

Through the generosity of Australian doctors, nurses, volunteers and donors, ADFA has grown considerably. Last year alone, the organisation completed twenty-five medical humanitarian trips.

The most recent trip was to Madagascar in October 2019, and involved three multidisciplinary teams. St John of God Subiaco Hospital Specialists Dr Forward and Dr Digby Cullen led the orthopaedic and gastroenterology teams respectively, and Dr Lydia Putra-Johns from St John of God Ballarat Hospital led the urology team.

Through the provision of much needed medical treatment, training and equipment, the trip directly benefitted more than 500 individuals and continues to benefit many more.

Dr Forward remembers the significant impact the team’s care had on one particular patient.

“A 26-year-old farmer had sustained a femoral fracture more than a year ago. Unable to work, the injury left his entire family, including his mother and father, in poverty,” Dr Forward said.

“To see the pure happiness and relief of his family as he walked out of hospital after surgery was incredibly rewarding. His life was transformed.”

“The longer-term benefits come from the ADFA mantra to ‘train and equip’ local health providers.  Teaching local surgeons, providing surgical and hospital equipment and renovating operating theatres and wards offers a sustainable pathway for the future of these communities.”

 “This is life-changing and is the very mission of ADFA.”

While COVID-19 has resulted in planned trips being postponed, the organisation is still providing support to those who need it most.

“Our local staff have distributed personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves, masks, gowns and sanitiser, from our stores in Madagascar to healthcare workers, to protect them from the transmission of COVID-19.”

“ADFA is also supporting the provision of locally-made, washable masks to support the fight against the virus,” he said.   

St John of God Subiaco Hospital Chief Executive Officer Professor Shirley Bowen said Dr Forward’s ongoing humanitarian work is an inspiration to us all.

“Our patients not only benefit from Dr Forward’s expertise in orthopaedics but also his compassion, hospitality and justice – three of the values that our organisation was founded on,” Professor Bowen said.

“St John of God Subiaco Hospital has partnered with ADFA for several years, providing funds, equipment and medical supplies. We were pleased to be able to donate arthroscopy equipment, which was installed at a Madagascan hospital during the most recent trip.”

“To hear how this equipment is impacting peoples’ lives is incredibly heartwarming and reflects our vision to provide healing, hope and a greater sense of dignity, especially to those most in need,” Professor Bowen said.

To learn more about Australian Doctors for Africa, visit www.ausdocafrica.org/