What is M.A.S.H.?

M.A.S.H. (Mobile Adventist Surgery for Humanity) is a non-profit humanitarian surgical program. The M.A.S.H. project was established in 2005 to facilitate the efforts of volunteer surgical teams and humanitarian workers in impoverished regions of the developing world. M.A.S.H. teams are pleased to provide their services without charge, obligation or discrimination.

Where does the M.A.S.H. team work?

Nicaragua is the second poorest nation in the western hemisphere and it remains the ongoing focus of the M.A.S.H. project. Our surgical missions are currently based in Boaco and target the vast unmet surgical needs in central Nicaragua. Boaco is about a 1.5 hour bus ride north-east of Nicaragua's capital city, Managua.

Why……?

The ‘Why?’ of M.A.S.H. is best articulated in our Mission and Vision Statements:

Our Mission:

Through our actions to live the Christian directives:

“Love your neighbor as you love yourself" (Mark 12:31)  and

"Whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you have done for me.” (Matt. 25:40)

Our Vision:

To provide essential surgical, medical and humanitarian care in impoverished regions of the developing world with excellence and compassion but without discrimination, obligation or cost.

Our Action Plan:

To coordinate and support the efforts of Canadian medical professionals and other volunteers on multiple short-term surgical and humanitarian missions.  The current focus of these missions is the Boaco region of Nicaragua.

To promote self-sufficiency and sustainable change thereby maximizing the impact of our short-term missions.  This is achieved by developing strong relationships with local health-care and government leaders, and working collaboratively with them to identify key health-care priorities.  We then focus our energy on training and equipping local health-care professionals to address these needs in a sustainable way. 

What does the M.A.S.H. team look like?

Each year an excellent team of about 25 Canadian doctors, nurses, sterilization specialists, clerical and support staff assemble to plan and complete our surgical mission.  Once we arrive in the country, our team expands as we are joined by our local organizers (Dr. Paul and Thania Heier, Richard Ramos & the Mision Hispana team), translators and local health professionals.  On each two week mission over 200 general surgical, gynecological, and plastic surgery operations are performed along with a variety of humanitarian outreach projects.  Each team consists of an exciting combination of new and veteran team-members who come from diverse geographic, cultural, age, gender, religious and professional backgrounds, and who are nevertheless united by their team spirit, positive 'can do' attitude, and their desire to be of service to the people of Nicaragua.

When is the next M.A.S.H. trip?

A national election is going to be held in Nicaragua on November 6, 2011.  Historically, Nicaraguan national elections are accompanied by a period of uncertainty, restructuring  and intermittant unrest.  In light of this, dates for our next mission will be set once the newly elected government takes power and establishes a climate of peaceful stability.  The focus of our next mission will continue to be on Women's Health, achieved by supporting/building the Boaco hospital into a laparoscopic gynecology and general surgery centre of excellence.

How is the M.A.S.H. team supported?

In an environment where every charity’s overhead expenses and spending habits are coming under continually increasing scrutiny, M.A.S.H. is pleased to be able to assure its supporters that M.A.S.H. overhead expenses are negligible (2-3%) and their donations go directly to support our surgical and humanitarian projects. This is possible because M.A.S.H. is an entirely volunteer organization, and each M.A.S.H. team-member pays for all of their own trip expenses. Every year we also gratefully receive generous ‘no-strings-attached’ corporate donations/discounts on essential medical/surgical supplies. But, most of all, M.A.S.H. is made possible by a growing circle of friends in the general public who share our vision and have a heart for humanity.