Operation Walk: Nicaragua

By: Phil Hossack, Photojournalist Posted: Last Modified:

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/12/2012 (4997 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In October 2012 a medical team of surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists and support stuff traveled from Winnipeg to Managua, Nicaragua to perform knee replacements for those who normally could not afford surgeries. Free Press photojournalist Phil Hossack documented the trip. Prior to the trip nurse Karen Watchorn shifts supplies in a St. James warehouse readying the inventory for shipment to Nicaraugua.
In October 2012 a medical team of surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists and support stuff traveled from Winnipeg to Managua, Nicaragua to perform knee replacements for those who normally could not afford surgeries. Free Press photojournalist Phil Hossack documented the trip. Prior to the trip nurse Karen Watchorn shifts supplies in a St. James warehouse readying the inventory for shipment to Nicaraugua.
Jordan Middlestead, a recipient of multiple hip replacements himself, sorts and positions gear to be shipped to Managua for Operation Walk.
Jordan Middlestead, a recipient of multiple hip replacements himself, sorts and positions gear to be shipped to Managua for Operation Walk.
A delivery man juggles a stack of boxes as the Op-Walk's medical supplies arrive at the hospital in Managua.
A delivery man juggles a stack of boxes as the Op-Walk's medical supplies arrive at the hospital in Managua.
A badly crippled man makes his way on hands and knees through a Managua public market. Winnipeg's Operation Walk team arrived in the Nicaraguan Capitol to treat people like him who depend on their own mobility to survive in the central American country.
A badly crippled man makes his way on hands and knees through a Managua public market. Winnipeg's Operation Walk team arrived in the Nicaraguan Capitol to treat people like him who depend on their own mobility to survive in the central American country.
Family (some bearing gifts) arrive at Managua's Hospital Escuelda.
Family (some bearing gifts) arrive at Managua's Hospital Escuelda.
A patient waits
A patient waits "patiently" for documents at Managua's Hospital Escuelda's records window.
Wearing a traditional nurses
Wearing a traditional nurses "cap" a Nicaraguan nurse takes care of record keeping behind a prayer poster on the emergency ward.
Patients on walkers and crutches arrive for an assessment at the clinic.
Patients on walkers and crutches arrive for an assessment at the clinic.
Lucia Moyorga arrives with her son's support for her pre-operation assessment by the Operation Walk team.
Lucia Moyorga arrives with her son's support for her pre-operation assessment by the Operation Walk team.
Patients line up in droves for a day clinic at Hospital Escuelda.
Patients line up in droves for a day clinic at Hospital Escuelda.
Lucia Moyorga is supported by Adian Salonga (left) and Victor Medina as she gets her feet underneath her for the first time following her surgery.
Lucia Moyorga is supported by Adian Salonga (left) and Victor Medina as she gets her feet underneath her for the first time following her surgery.
Using a single cane and carrying his crutches Juan Canda leaves the hospital in Managua for home four days after
Using a single cane and carrying his crutches Juan Canda leaves the hospital in Managua for home four days after "bi-lateral" surgery where both knees were replaced.
Juan Canda explores the hallway near his recovery ward under the watchful care of staff.
Juan Canda explores the hallway near his recovery ward under the watchful care of staff.
The morning after his surgery, Juan's dress shoes wait for his first walk.
The morning after his surgery, Juan's dress shoes wait for his first walk.
Suffering the heat poorly, Lucia Moyorga urges her son to fan her harder after a short walk the day following her surgery.
Suffering the heat poorly, Lucia Moyorga urges her son to fan her harder after a short walk the day following her surgery.
The morning after his surgery, Juan Canda's grimaces as he sinks into a chair after his first walk with physio-therapists Ian WIndle (left) and Adrian Salonga.
The morning after his surgery, Juan Canda's grimaces as he sinks into a chair after his first walk with physio-therapists Ian WIndle (left) and Adrian Salonga.
Patients wait on their beds for surgery in the men's ward.
Patients wait on their beds for surgery in the men's ward.
Sylvia Vega's daughter mirrors her mother's smile after coming to the ward following her operation.
Sylvia Vega's daughter mirrors her mother's smile after coming to the ward following her operation.
Surrounded by empty beds, Sylvia Vega recovers from surgery under the care of nurse Elaine Hassan.
Surrounded by empty beds, Sylvia Vega recovers from surgery under the care of nurse Elaine Hassan.
Juan Canada walks toward his home on the outskirts of Managua four days after surgery.
Juan Canada walks toward his home on the outskirts of Managua four days after surgery.
A Nicaraguan OR nurse shoulders wrapped sterile instruments to the OR.
A Nicaraguan OR nurse shoulders wrapped sterile instruments to the OR.
Maria Gomez is surrounded by specialists from the Operation Walk team for her assessment prior to surgery.
Maria Gomez is surrounded by specialists from the Operation Walk team for her assessment prior to surgery.
Surgical candidate Maria Gomez clutches her files and x-rays as she waits.
Surgical candidate Maria Gomez clutches her files and x-rays as she waits.
A stainless steel mallet drives home a piece of a knee replacement.
A stainless steel mallet drives home a piece of a knee replacement.
Operation Walk Surgeon David Heddon has his work reflected on a visor during knee replacement surgery in Managua. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012
Operation Walk Surgeon David Heddon has his work reflected on a visor during knee replacement surgery in Managua. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012
Surgeon Eric Bohm (left), Dr Jon March (centre) and Dr Jason Crosby work on replacing a knee while Nicaraguan surgical nurses watch.
Surgeon Eric Bohm (left), Dr Jon March (centre) and Dr Jason Crosby work on replacing a knee while Nicaraguan surgical nurses watch.
Sylvia Vega is wheeled into the OR.
Sylvia Vega is wheeled into the OR.
A patient waiting for
A patient waiting for "bi-lateral" surgery to replace both knees has the order written on his thighs before heading into the OR.
Dr Stephen Henry (left) and Dr Tom Turgeon and a combined team of specialists from Winnipeg and Managua, check a patients medication.
Dr Stephen Henry (left) and Dr Tom Turgeon and a combined team of specialists from Winnipeg and Managua, check a patients medication.
Prior to the first operation Dr. Jason Crosby lifts Juan Canda's leg as Dr. Hedden watches.
Prior to the first operation Dr. Jason Crosby lifts Juan Canda's leg as Dr. Hedden watches.

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