Oral health mission in East Mono: 1027 patients consulted and treated free of charge

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Extract from the article: The team of the Togolese Association for Oral Health (ATSBD) composed of 16 health professionals (dentists, public health specialists, odontostomatology technicians, anaesthetists, speech therapists) carried out

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The team of the Togolese Association for Oral Health (ATSBD) composed of 16 health professionals (dentists, public health specialists, odontostomatology technicians, anaesthetists, speech therapists) carried out a humanitarian dental mission in the prefecture of East Mono from 7 to 11 November 2022. The health operation is part of the project « Promotion of access to oral health care in rural areas in Togo ». The objective was to bring oral health care closer to rural populations in Togo. A total of 1027 patients were treated in the cantons of Elavagnon, Issati, Moretan and Nyamassila.

The population mobilised massively to go and meet the ATSBD team, since they suffer from several pathologies, including dental caries, gingivitis, broken teeth, periodontitis and gum-related diseases.

During the mobile consultations, the team performed tooth extractions, surgery and scaling. The treatment was followed by practical advice and free distribution of medicines. In Nyamassila, the ATSBD distributed 2,160 packs of amoxillin 500 mg, 1,500 boxes of paracetamol containing 100 packs each, mouthwashes, toothbrushes for children and adults and Bendex albendazole to deworm the population.

Joy and satisfaction of the people

The patients we met after the oral care expressed great satisfaction, joy and gratitude towards the ATSBD team.

« I believe that from now on I can eat and sleep well without the pain. In fact, I've had toothaches for years, but who can I tell? If I go to the CMS, they prescribe me painkillers, but the pain is still there.  Today, God has sent these good Samaritans to help us, all we can say to them is sincere thanks. Let them not forget us », said Barboko Koudjokoum, a farmer in his sixties in Nyamassila.

« I have had toothache for two years, but I cannot travel to Lomé to get a consultation because I cannot afford it. I thank God for the life of these doctors who not only treated us for free, but also gave us medicines », says Assétou, a seller at the market.

Bossou Komie Alosse III, Head of the Nyamassila canton, said she was satisfied with the arrival of the ATSBD in her locality. « We don't have these specialities in our canton, so we can only say thank you to the ATSBD for this noble and salutary action. I simply want to say thank you to the Head of State, Faure Gnassingbé, through Dr Tokofaï. This means that we are not completely forgotten in our locality », she said. It is the same feeling that animated Mayor Massan Dzifa Kodjo-Bakpe.

ATSBD wins the bet

Oral diseases are becoming more and more frequent and have negative consequences on the health of citizens. These free mobile consultations have improved the knowledge of rural populations about oral health. At the end of the mission, Dr Georges Tokofaï, President of the ATSBD, has the feeling of « a duty accomplished ». For him, bringing oral health care to rural and remote populations is a moral duty, an act of generosity, health and humanitarian. This mission fulfilled the expectations of the ATSBD.

« Seeing these people happy after the treatment is a great satisfaction. We are not going to give up, we will continue to relieve these populations in difficulty for oral health care; we are going to set course for other prefectures very soon. This is the place to say thank you to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene and Access to Health Care for their multi-faceted support, a sincere thank you to the entire ATSBD team », said Dr Georges Tokofaï, president of the ATSBD.

Before the stage of the prefecture of East Mono, the ATSBD had left its bags in Kéran from 24 to 28 October 2022. This mission reached a total of 957 patients. It provided free care to the populations of localities such as Kanté, Ossacré, Nadoba and Ataloté.

Already in 2021, mobile consultations were held in the prefectures of Mo, Wawa and Kpendjal. During these three consultations, nearly 2,700 people were consulted and treated free of charge. 

Abel Ozih