In The Beginning

 

Hey guys, a few of you had asked me if I could do another blog of my latest adventures in Africa. This time round I’m not doing any crazy clinical work, instead I’ve moved into the thrilling world of quality improvement. I’m not sure if my blog on QI will be as interesting as the literal life and death situations I faced whilst in Zambia, but then again, I’m not really sure exactly what it is that I’m getting myself in to, so who knows!

 

This time round I’m in the small country of Lesotho in southern Africa. I’ll be working on a project with Health Education England to try and improve the health systems in a small hospital in a rural part of Lesotho called Mapoteng. The hospital I’ve be paired with is called Maluti Adventist Hospital. Its run by a group of 7^th Day Adventist Christians who live a very strict Christian lifestyle. They don’t get eat meat, drink alcohol or smoke, and I’ve been told in order to keep good relations between the programme and the hospital I am expected to do the same when out in public. Luckily the 2 local bars in town look about as appealing as an A&E waiting room on a Friday night, so I don’t think I’m missing out that much. The community at the hospital also observe strict rules of not preforming any tasks considered work on the sabbath, which for them is a Saturday. I just know that this pole dancing, alcohol enthusiast, self-proclaimed atheist is going to fit in perfectly there!

The journey to Maptogen was interesting, it took us a total of 20 hours to get to the Capital Maseru. We arrived just a huge thunderstorm hit the capital which lit the sky up with lightening every 30s for hours. From there we got picked up the following day and drove 4 hours to the hospital (its not actually a 4 hour drive but the hospital transport had other errands to run before dropping us off). I’m on this placement with another junior Dr from Manchester called Sarah. She’s an FY3 applying for GP training and is lovely. Unlike me she is a T-total Christian, heavily involved in her church community and an all round lovely human being. Who knows, maybe by the end of this placement I will become a better person too. It’s a good job we get on as there are no other foreign doctors in the hospital. In fact there are very few foreigners in Lesotho. The country is comprised of 99.7% locals, making it one of the most ethnically homogenous countries in the world.

 

Ok, I think that’s enough of me going on for today, I’m sure you get the idea. I will keep you all posted about what I get up to and if I’m actually able to do any good with my project. For now , this soon to be born again Christian will say goodbye.