Project Description
MEDICAL SURGICAL
A commitment to developing essential medical and surgical skills
Built a collaborative relationship with the Canadian Network of International Surgery
Developed and delivered an additional physician training courses and concurrent nursing courses, with the guidance and support of the Zambia Ministry of Health and regional hospitals
Established linkages with other Canadian players working in Zambia, including the Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research and the ‘Zambia-Canada Research Partnership
‘Train the Trainers’ program to support continuing medical-surgical education, while also devolving greater responsibility and ownership to Zambian practitioners
Increase practical learning through a mentorship program; Canadian representatives working alongside Zambians on real patients over an extended period of time
Potential to extend and embed training programs to other institutions, such as medical and nursing schools in Zambia
The Medical-Surgical program has delivered a range of health care training for Zambian doctors, nurses, clinical officers and medical licentiates living in rural and urban areas of Western Province. Where possible, courses draw on existing curricula and resources, and new modules are developed where a need is identified.
In conjunction with the Canadian Network for International Surgery (CNIS), the Essential Surgical Skills course was initially delivered in 2009. Subsequently, this course has been repeated, in addition to providing training courses in Inguinal Hernia repair, Non-Communicable Disease, Intensive Care, and modified Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
This is OkaZHI’s longest standing program. Through cooperation and support from training in the Medical-Surgical program, Zambian health professionals have reported being able to offer to their patients better quality of care, reduced referrals, reduced infections, reduced hospital stays, better long-term prognoses, and decreased mortality rates.
For more information on our medical surgical programs please contact [email protected]