We’re at the beginning of week two of the Developing Health Course. Week one was packed with 33 hours of excellent teaching – exhausting but very inspiring. We’ve heard about trematodes and trypanosomes, scalp veins and scabies, red eyes and refugees. We’ve learnt about diseases affecting millions of people such as malaria, TB, malnutrition, and we’ve seen a few rarities such as a woman with a pulmono-mammary fistula – work that one out!
World class speakers
40 of us completed the first week, with another 12 coming for special interest days. I asked a few of them how they felt about the course so far. One said ‘I have been amazed by the calibre of the speakers – some are really world-class experts. The standard of teaching has been much higher than at medical school!’ (I won’t reveal where she trained.) Another said ‘I have been so encouraged – I have learnt about things I can actually do that will make a difference.’ Another said ‘It’s been amazing to have fellowship with people from all over the world.’
Inspiring participants
Meeting the participants who are currently working overseas is always one of the highlights of the course. I was moved by Irene, a Pakistani obstetrician working in a remote area in the north of the country. She told us ‘Every time I walk into the operating theatre, I say “After you Jesus – you go first.” Almost all of my patients are Muslims but I ask each one if I can pray for them before we start. Noone has ever refused.’
Ruth has been working in Tanzania for eight years. She said ‘I am there as a sign of God’s love. People there can think that God has forgotten them but they see that I’ve gone there with no husband, no children, no home of my own, and it’s a sign that I think they’re worth it – that God thinks they’re worth it.’
It’s great to have Ezekiel from Nigeria with us. He is the missions secretary for Christian Medical and Dental Association in Nigeria. He is a doctor with an infectious passion for evangelism – he told us ‘I don’t want to feel shy when I get to heaven and meet St Paul and the apostles!’ I don’t think he needs to worry.
The course continues…
Today we’re learning about orthopaedics, anaesthetics and trauma – I’m sitting at the back of the lecture theatre I’ve just heard that 10% of all deaths are due to injury, and it accounts for 16% of the global burden of disease. Important stuff – I’d better sign off and pay attention.