Honduras HN Medical/Surgical Mission October 2026

Dear supporters, friends and family,

Greetings from Tegucigalpa, Honduras 🇭🇳 Central America, where we just completed a very successful medical/surgical mission organized by the North American Taiwanese Medical Association (NATMA), in collaboration with Medical Task Force International (MTFI), and Chima Medical Mission Int’l (CMMI). The mission occurred from October 26-31, 2026, at different locations in the country for the medical team led by Dr. Tony Lee, and at Hospital Adventista Valle De Angeles for the surgical team led by me. The overall leader of the 35 plus US multidisciplinary volunteers was Dr. Charles Hsu, chair of NATMA medical mission committee. Each team worked with pharmacists and nurses. We worked alongside the local healthcare professionals with knowledge and skills cross-transfer for capacity building. Many medical students from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras (UNAH) assisted and translated Spanish for us, and were very excited to learn from our teachings.

Volunteers from the Association of Nigerian Physicians (ANPA) included Dr. Ify Anidi (pediatrician), Dr. Osita Onyekwere (cardiologist), and myself, Dr. Cliff Eke (surgeon). This represents a continuation of the relationship between NATMA and ANPA, since several NATMA volunteers were at ANPA’s mission last year in Lagos, Nigeria. Also, we were able to recruit some volunteers for ANPA global health impact initiative coming up in April 2027 at Uyo and Calabar, Nigeria.

The medical team attended to over 1,400 patients and donated remaining medicines to the hospital. The US based surgical team comprised of an anesthesiologist (Dr. Stephanie Valenzuela), and four surgeons (Drs. Nina Bowman, Ken Chan, Jason Lee, and myself). We performed 65 operations together with our Honduras Operating Room staff. Commonest procedure was Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. Others included laparoscopic and open inguinal/ventral hernia repairs with mesh, hydocelectomies, hemorrhoidectomies, and lumps and bumps. We donated surgical equipment, instruments, and supplies all worth about $80,000 to the hospital.

Interesting cases included a woman who had C-sections and developed incisional hernia that was repaired twice with mesh but failed. She had waited for 13 years to have it repaired due to lack of funds, resulting in larger size and lower abdominal pannus causing pain in addition to the hernia. We were able to remove the old mesh and excess skin (panniculectomy) and repair the hernia with a new mesh. Patient did well and was very pleased with the surgery and her new abdominal wall (see pictures). Another interesting case was that of a recurring right neck giant 12×15 cm mass, which contained thick sebaceous material of uncertain origin. The final pathology is still pending at the time of this article. Others were acute and chronic calculous cholecystitis which were treated with minimal invasive laparoscopic cholecystectomies.

The mission ended with a closing dinner where the Hospital Administrators expressed their gratitude and gave certificates, small tokens of appreciation, and awards to volunteers. This was followed by a Cultural Exchange around the beautiful country the next day, prior to departure.

Thank you for reading, for your prayers, donations, and supporting our mission. More information is available on www.chimamedicalmissions.com, where you can also make a tax-deductible donation if you wish.

Thank God for journey mercies and for giving us the capability to serve His children with our skills, talents, treasures, and time.

Remain blessed,
Cliff Eke, MD, FACS, FICS
Founder/CEO CMMI
Immediate Past President ANPA.