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A surgeon working at Epsom and St Helier hospitals has just returned from a successful trip to Malawi, having spent three weeks in the under-resourced country teaching over 150 medical practitioners how to perform life-saving surgery.

Mr Paul Thomas, a doctor specialising in hernia surgery, has travelled to the developing country in the heart of Africa twice a year for the last five years to teach how to perform hernia procedures, as well as basic surgical skills and basic trauma life support (what to do within the first two hours of an accident).

Largely self-funded, Mr Thomas, through the charity he co-founded, The AMECA Trust - www.ameca.org.uk), uses up his annual leave to make the journey. He said that creating a legacy of sustainable healthcare in the country makes the entire venture worthwhile:

“Malawi is one of the most under-resourced and deprived countries in the world, especially in terms of healthcare; with a population of over 16.5 million, there are approximately just 15 qualified surgeons in the whole country.

“With far more tempting job offers in Europe, America and in other countries, most surgeons leave Malawi after gaining their qualifications, leaving behind a host of ‘clinical officers’ who are passionate and intelligent, but lack ongoing training, especially in surgery and trauma management.

“On this most recent trip, we stopped at the district hospital in Livingstonia, a city named in honour of the work of the famous doctor and missionary, Dr Livingstone. Even this locally prestigious institution had just one qualified surgeon who had been working there every day for four years without a holiday.

“Our team at AMECA firmly believes in the ‘teach a man to fish’ mantra; by offering our skills and knowledge in the form of training to Malawi’s clinical officers, they become empowered to perform life-changing and life-saving surgeries without having to rely on western charity workers to perform these procedures for them.” 

Malawi is among the world's least-resourced countries, with low life expectancy and high infant mortality rates, an economy heavily based in agriculture and a largely rural population.  For many of Malawi’s citizens, a hernia is very often a life-threatening condition. Mr Thomas explained: “Most of the people we see who have hernias are engaged in very physical farm work. Once they have a hernia, the condition only worsens until that person can simply no longer perform their work, leading to loss of income and further impoverishment.

“It’s this simple chain of events or similar circumstances that although seem small to begin with, can be absolutely devastating if left unchecked. As Westerners, it’s pretty difficult to comprehend living in these conditions, but my colleagues and I at AMECA are dedicated to creating long-term and sustainable healthcare solutions for these people.”

Typically, sub-Saharan African countries suffer from a severe lack of healthcare facilities, healthcare professionals, equipment and drugs. This is exacerbated by either non-existent or unaffordable transport to the nearest urban health facility.

AMECA aims to fulfil its cofounders’ aspiration to improve access to healthcare in Africa and their wish to practice medicine in rural African locations. To find out more about their work and to donate to this worthy and very dedicated charity, visit www.ameca.org.uk.