The Anastasis, a hospital ship which is part of Mercy Ships ministries, is in Benin in West Africa at the moment. They do an amazing work, bringing hope and healing through operations to many in the Third World. In this article they tell how they are making use of the internet to get cell and tissue sample analysis within minutes, a process that used to take three weeks:

“Dr. Gary Parker, maxillo-facial surgeon and Chief Medical Officer onboard said, “The Coolscope is incredible. Whilst operating on a nine-year-old girl with a large jaw tumour, I sent a sample of some suspicious tissue to a pathologist in the UK. His advice helped me to decide whether or not to remove the left side of her jaw – while still in the middle of her operation!”

At the same time, this article at the BBC website tells of how people’s live are being saved in the Third World through an e-mail system that puts hospitals in the developing world in touch with the best surgeons in their field throughout the world. The system has been set up by Lord and Lady Swinfen, with the help of the University of Queensland staff, and enables surgeons with difficult cases to contact expert help at any time, day or night through the Swinfen Charitable Trust.

Great examples of how to make the unique potential of the internet work for those on the margins, and to free life-changing resources from being locked in the rich west for use in the Third World.