Tag: Developing Health

CMF Logo Developing Health… again

Two years ago, I went on the Christian Medical Fellowship “Developing Health” course. Its a two week, fairly intensive course, covering many topics relating to working in the developing world as a doctor.

Last time I attended, I approached it firmly from the medical perspective, aiming to learn as much about the clinical challenges that I might face in Africa. I also wrote like 10,000 words on the subject, over 11 blog posts…

Tinea Day Eleven: Final Bits

Claire Fuller gave us our final topic session of the week, based on many years of experience in both the UK and East Africa.

The WHO is working with the Gates Foundation to run a Global Burden of Disease statistics measuring. 600 million cases of scabies worldwide. In the developing world, skin disease is the second commonest reason for attending primary care – but people are still far less likely to attend if they have a rash compared to other types of pathology.

Day Eight: Trauma & Orthopaedics

Our first talk came from Chris Lavy, husband of Vicky Lavy, who runs the course. He explained that the reason for his haggard experience was her being away for a week, leaving him alone with the children.

The USA have nearly 1% of the population having an operation each year, whereas in Guyana that figure is 0.002%. There are 1700 surgeons per 100,000 population in the UK, whereas in Ethiopa that figure is around 1 per 100,000.

Intra abdominal surgery Day Seven: Surgery

John Rennie and Colin Binks shared the next talks about surgical matters. They both apologised for the dwindling capacities of their ageing neurones, but assured us that with enough prompting they would be able to recall the more important arteries, etc.

“You must take your bible, your toothbrush, your anti-malarials and the Textbook of Primary Surgery. It’s brilliant, full of pictures, and perfect for those of you who are far more comfortable cutting sausages than cranial burr holes”.