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CF MISSION IN RUSSIA

In June 2006 CF physiotherapists Jean Chevaillier (Belgium) and Vera Schmiegel (Germany) joined a humanitarian mission to Russia. They were accompanied by Ingeborg Grote, CF mother, Alfons Buts from Caritas Germany and 2 interpreters.
This mission was made possible thanks to the support of several German self-help groups, the Christiane Herzog Foundation, Caritas Germany, Pari and the Belgian CF Association.

The physiotherapists taught essential elements of the daily treatment and practiced several techniques with CF patients, families and physicians. Mrs. Grote shared her experience with the Russian parents. Mr. Buts discussed the needs with the families and physicians. In order to enable the participating families to continue and use what they learned and thus increase their survival chances, they received small but essential treatment materials, such as nebulizers, Flutters, Petzi balls, elastic straps and jala neti nasal rinsing devices to those who were most in need. Jean Chevaillier’s report shows us the importance of this mission and the enthusiasm of this voluntary mission.

“After a warm welcome in Moscow, we started our tour with a lecture about modern CF methods and hygienic measures in the pediatric department of the university of Prof Kapronov. While the other participants talked to the parents, the physiotherapists taught the necessary breathing techniques and inhalation and drainage methods to individual patients and their parents and physicians. They spent 75 minutes per team of 2 patients. This way 24 patients were trained that day... a very long day. On Sunday some parents took us on a visit to Suzdal, a typical Russian village.

On Monday the team flew to Omsk where once more they got a warm welcome. In a local rehabilitation centre 15 patients were trained according to the same schedule. Wednesday was spent on the Transsiberian train to Novosibirsk... a trip of 10 hours, followed by 2 more days of lectures and training of patients from Novosibirsk but also from Tomsk en other neighboring regions. People came from 300 km away to attend the sessions! Long conversations with local physicians gave us a better view of the situation and needs there. The doctors asked us a lot of questions and trained with the patients to get as much info and knowledge as possible. Saturday at 4 a.m. we flew back to Moscow. As soon as we arrived we started with a new group of patients. As “finale” a last physiotherapy session was organized with the doctors to teach them how their patients should breathe correctly and use the flutter.

During this mission the team informed and treated a total of 66 patients and their parents and professionals. Every one of them received what they needed for their home treatment.
The needs for knowledge and treatment materials are big in Russia. Only 7% of the population has sufficient financial means. The gap between the rich and the poor is enormous. Generally speaking the patients are in a worse condition then the average western European CF patient. They do everything in their power, but the necessary medical and therapeutic knowledge is lacking.

We have to look for ways to share our expertise and experience, to multiply it to as many regions and patients as possible.

In all it was a terrific experience that put us “sophisticated” therapists firmly back with our 2 feet on the ground. With minimal means a lot can be accomplished, but we need to find the people and the time to bring the expertise where it is needed most. The organization of such a mission can be expensive, but the information and knowledge are free!”

Jean Chevaillier

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