Papaya Power! Using fruit to clean wounds – Sierra Leone
Dinsdag 10 februari 2026Through this project, patients with chronic wounds in Sierra Leone are treated with an innovative and affordable method: papaya as a natural wound cleanser. Local healthcare providers at Masanga Hospital are trained in the safe and effective application of this treatment.
By using papaya for infected wounds, infection is reduced, healing is accelerated, and costs for patients are lowered. Thanks to the training of local staff and expansion to satellite clinics, high-quality wound care is becoming more accessible to vulnerable groups in remote areas.
Goal:
Affordable wound care
Theme:
Innovation in wound care
Location:
Masanga, Sierra Leone
Health pioneer:
Maria Bakker
Project
Goal
Results
Project
In Sierra Leone, chronic wounds often lead to expensive and risky surgeries. This project introduces papaya as a natural wound cleanser to reduce infections and accelerate healing.
By training local healthcare providers and expanding the method to satellite clinics, safe wound care becomes accessible to more patients.
Goal
Implementing a proven and safe papaya treatment as standard wound care at Masanga Hospital and surrounding clinics. By training local healthcare providers and integrating the treatment into existing healthcare structures, surgical intervention is reduced and the quality and affordability of wound care is improved in a sustainable manner.
Results
- Trained wound dressers and nurses in papaya treatment
- Reduction in surgical interventions for chronic wounds
- Faster wound healing and fewer infections
- Rollout to four satellite clinics in Tonkolili District
- Access to affordable wound care
Health pioneer Maria Bakker
Maria Bakker is an international healthcare physician and founder of Papaya Power. With years of experience in wound care in Sierra Leone, she worked with local healthcare providers to develop an innovative and affordable treatment using papaya. Maria works closely with Masanga Hospital to train local professionals and achieve sustainable improvements in wound care.
Watch the video below to learn more about her project and motivation:
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