"POST-OP" Reports
Mongu Teaching Trip Oct 21st-Nov 6th 2010
After many weeks of planning and preparation, the OkaZHI team travelled to Mongu in the Western Province of Zambia to continue the medical educational work which has been started.
A group consisting of 7 OkaZHI doctors: Surgeons - Bill Nelems, Gary O'Connor, Bryan Tighe; Family Practice - Linda Hawker & Tim Murphy; Hospitalist - Glynn Jones ; Anaesthesiologist - Bill East and CNIS Surgeon Bob Taylor and OkaZHI nurses Jessica Barker, Felour Behrouzi, Janelle Caldwell, Kim East, Lianne Jones and Mary Mitchell spent 2 weeks at the Lewanika Hospital in Mongu.
Educational Programs taught included:
- Surgery - CNIS Essential Surgcial Skills Oct 26th -Oct 30th
- - CNIS Hernia Repair Nov 1st - Nov 5th
- Medicine - Workshop Modules on Resuscitation & ACLS protocols, Diabetes, Hypertension, Sepsis Nov 1st-4th
- Nursing - Perioperative Nursing Skills Workshop Oct 27th -29th and Nov 1st - Nov 3rd
- - Basic Critical Care Workshop Oct 26th - Nov 4th
Evaluations of the programs were done as individual written evaluations by all participants as well as a debriefing discussion with Zambian Colleagues representing medical personnel, nursing departments, hospital administration and nursing school and the OkaZHI team.
Programs were well received and appreciated by all participants. It was recognized that the attendance by medical & clinical officers was lower than what had been anticipated, and strategies to engage the medical personnel will be considered with future plans
Oct 1st Braai and Information night
Our first public fundraising event was held on Oct 1st at the UBCO ballroom. We had a great turnout to enjoy a fabulous African style "Braai" (or barbeque as we say in Canada). As typical for a Braai we had a large selection of meats, but also accompanied by salads and bread prepared by our nurses. Beer and South African wines were available for purchase, and we had several pieces of art from a local Zambian artist which were auctioned off.
The evening included very entertaining and informative slide shows from our OkaZHI bike team on their Tour d'Afrique ride, on our work in Western Province and from the UBCO nurses on their accomplishments while in Zambia last spring, and on the work being done in Ghana.
Information on OkaZHI, and from the UBCO nursing students on their projects for Zambia and Ghana were on display throughout the evening. Many people wore "I've been to Africa" tags and were available to speak to about their experiences.
It was a very enjoyable evening special thanks to:
- UBCO Nursing Students
- L&D Meats
