Leading universities are taking the next step in developing effective global health practitioners. Collaboration among health professional schools nationally, or even internationally, will create unity to battle the need for care across the world.
After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, there was an influx of medical
volunteers and desire to help in such a traumatic event. While
this displays admirable initiative, there are many
factors that go into international medical volunteerism outside of the desire
to do good work that require experience and understanding of local culture.
In one study, co-authored by Richard
Gosselin of UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, almost two-thirds of the
surgeons who volunteered in Haiti had no prior disaster experience. .jpg)
In the coming months, IVUmed is performing two surgical workshops
in Haiti, one in Pignon and one in Deschapelles. Both the leaders and many of
the volunteers going on these trips have been at least once a year for the past
two years. This has given us the opportunity to develop relationships and
partner with other organizations, such as Project Haiti and well established
hospitals in the region.
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“I am grateful to IVUmed and SUFU for providing me this invaluable experience. It has opened my eyes and has changed how I envision my future career. One trip is just not enough. I strive to include international health care as a long-term commitment and integral part of my career because ‘every life deserves world class care.’”
"In our two weeks of working mainly with Dr. Hung, I was very impressed by his surgical technique. Open surgery involved tediously dissecting out important structures and controlling all bleeding quickly with cautery or ligatures. He moved very quickly in the OR but was very purposeful with his movements. No suture was wasted as instrument tying was performed whenever possible. Bigger cases would often involve 2 attending surgeons intertwined in a well-rehearsed ballet.“What was even more impressive was the efficiency and resourcefulness of the hospital. We mostly worked with Dr. Hung who has been on the urology staff for 6 years. He is quite motivated and very enthusiastic.Innovation, collaboration, sustainability were common themes of discussion at the first annual "Extreme Affordability: Innovative Solutions of Surgical Care" conference hosted by the Center for Global Surgery at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Focusing on providing affordable surgery globally, this conference called together surgeons, policy makers, bioengineers, anthropologists and non-governmental organization leaders to discuss the need and accessibility of surgical care to the international community.
Mark Harris, M.D., co-founder of the International Anesthesia Education Forum writes about his experience at the conference, “I am left with a sense of enthusiasm, optimism and community. There are so many people from different fields and countries collaborating and using innovative approaches to the myriad problems facing the low resource world.”
Speakers from around the world shared their perspectives on these current themes of global health and surgery. Keynote speaker, Clayton Christensen, Kim B. Clark Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School, discussed the decentralization of healthcare providers and technology to develop affordable and sustainable healthcare in resource-limited and rich settings. Christenson is regarded as one of the world's top experts on innovation and growth.
With a pattern recognition-based concept, Christensen's message was well-received by conference attendees.
"The speakers were thoughtful and captivating which was no small feat!" Rhiana Menen, resident with the East Bay Surgery Program at UCSF, commented. "I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend this wonderful conference. As someone early in my career but very much trying to incorporate an emphasis in global surgery, I now have a much better idea on how to proceed and have made some invaluable contacts."
As one of the few non-governmental organizations presenting at the conference, IVUmed was able to share its perspective on global health. Josh Wood, executive director, provided an in-depth look at how to develop and sustain global partnerships for dynamic change in an economical and efficient manner.
During his presentation, Wood explains, "When you start to become aware of surgery, how much need there is and the potential we have to relieve that need, it may seem overwhelming; but there are extensive opportunities, especially if programs are carried out in a sustainable manner so we can get more bang for our buck."
A staggering one million African infants are estimated to die in the first 4 weeks of life and there are only 24 urologists for the 9 million people living in Haiti. With these, and other outstanding statistics, the developed world recognizes a preventable epidemic. Through technology and innovative collaboration, these leaders are truly developing a paradigm shift in global health.
Discussing the role of surgery in global health, Steve Alder, Chief of the Division of Public Health at the University of Utah, comments, "You have to talk about the elephant in the room; is it the scalpel or the syringe?"
Through the generous sponsorship provided by Oceana Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Ogunyemi was accepted as a Traveling Resident Scholar to work in Accra, Ghana under the supervision of mentor, Dr. Sunny Mante. During the trip, Dr. Ogunyemi was able to give back to an area that faced similar issues as her home country, Nigeria.
“During medical school, I traveled to Central America to volunteer in Guatemala in obstetrics and family medicine, but I have never had the opportunity in the field that I will devote my career. I have always known, as an immigrant and child of immigrants, that it would be vital to provide to me to provide care globally and foster relationships that would make this possible. IVUmed is my opportunity to begin this work.“Clinic was a fast and furious experience. Each few moments, one of the charts from the stack was pulled, a patient appeared and a story was told.
“My week in Accra was a wonderful experience and one that I will cherish for the rest of my professional career. I truly appreciate the opportunity from IVUmed to make this a reality and look forward to repeating similar endeavors in the future.
“The patients, with teeth gritted and anxious faces, put their care into our hands despite the language barrier between us. It was gratifying to be able to care for these patients and provide comfort.
“My arrival at the halls of 37 Military Hospital was welcoming. I found welcoming smiles and genuine interest in my urologic perspective and actively encouraged to challenge ideas and bring forth alternative treatment plans and opinions. There was a true collegial excitement at exchanging ideas and patient experiences and learning from each other.
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Through the generous sponsorship provided by the Resident Scholar Alumni, Dr. Jessica Casey traveled to Mahuva, India with mentor Dr. Sakti Das to participate in a free urology camp organized by the local Indian organization Jeev Sewa Sansthan (“Service to the Living”). During the camp, over 130 patients received much-needed urological care
If they don’t have the needle driver you want, make do with another.1,500 man hours, 15 physicians, nurses and technicians and true dedication compensate for the $320,635 worth of medical services contributed to over 150 patients in Haiti. In November 2011,IVUmed sent two medical teams to Descheppelles and Pignon, Haiti to train local physicians. Partner doctors received training and lectures from volunteer surgeons to create a sustainable program for urological procedures.
“We were there to help pioneer and teach innovative ways to help alleviate a female reproductive issue…They are very eager to learn yet they were filled with tremendous humility and appreciation.”
- Laura Springhetti, Nurse Anesthetist volunteer, Pignon.
Our work there was established through two partnerships, with Promise for Haiti and Hospital Albert Schweizer of Descheppelles.
On March 10th, 2012, a group of IVUmed volunteers are returning to Pignon to focus on female urology. To stay connected with trip updates and volunteer opportunities, “like” us on Facebook.
ntebbe to the apartment in Kampala took about one hour. Kampala was busy, bustling with traffic, motorbikes which outnumbers cars three to one, and many people walking along the side of the road, despite it being after midnight. I was immediately struck by the notion that this place is full of life!
The operating room in Kampala is adequate for most surgical procedures, and I was certainly impressed with the skill of the Ugandan surgeons I worked with. I was most impressed with how they are able to accomplish so much with so little. Poor lighting, old operating tables, limited
