Two hundred treated on Zimbabwe medical mission

UEL staff helped at clinic as part of outreach programme.

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UEL staff helped at clinic as part of outreach programme.

Published

11 June 2024

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Three University of East London nursing lecturers have helped treat more than 200 patients on a medical outreach programme in Zimbabwe.

Senior Lecturer in Nursing, Kelly Thobekile Ncube, Associate Professor in Nursing Georgie Cox and Senior Lecturer in Nursing Dilum Hiththatiyage joined medical teams at a clinic in the community of Woodlands in Victoria Falls, a town in the north of the African country.

The clinic assessed and treated patients with a wide variety of conditions including hypertension, diabetes and arthritis. The three UEL staff were part of a 10-strong healthcare team working with Global Health Lecturer Volunteer Fellows, the CareLink clinic, Medmint pharmacy and the More Foundation.
 

In addition to their clinical work, the trio also visited the Mpilo School of Nursing, leading sessions on key nursing skills, including how to move and handle patients. They also demonstrated the use of the Oxford Medical Simulation virtual training technology, as part of a collaboration with the Zimbabwean Ministries of Health and of Foreign Affairs. 

Senior Lecturer Ncube, herself originally from Zimbabwe, has been on more than 10 volunteering trips to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Ghana. She said, 

Whole families from the Woodlands community came to get checked and travelled more than 20 miles in order to do so. It is such as huge honour and privilege to give back as a health care professional. The Woodlands Community's first outreach was a success with 203 patients seen by doctors and nurses, who also provided free medication.

Nurses working at a table in the Woodlands clinic, Zimbabwe

Associate Professor Cox added, “It is really great to be able to help upskill nursing students at Mpilo Hospital by showing them techniques such as slide and glide technique and manoeuvres to help move your patients. 

“There was a great sense of camaraderie working alongside the GPs, nurses and health care assistants who joined the mission, and we are so pleased our team was able to bring about a positive impact in the lives of those in need and contribute to the betterment of these communities. 

“We're excited to continue our efforts in the future and make a positive impact in the lives of those who need it most,” she added. 

Senior Lecturer Hiththatiyage said, “This outreach programme has provided me the opportunity to enhance my cultural competencies, as well as my confidence to serve the multicultural and diverse population in London as a healthcare professional. Through this outreach programme, the experience and the perspective we gained of a rural African community is unparalleled, as well as the chance to give back.”

The nursing staff aim to return to Zimbabwe at the beginning of the 2025 for another volunteering mission. If you feel inspired by their story, view UEL’s nursing course pages.

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