I undertook another 4 week elective at Livingstone Central Hospital rotating through internal medicine, paediatrics, surgery and O & G.
What I saw over the next several weeks for incredibly eye opening and a unique look into medicine in a completely new context. The contrast between Cambridge and Zambia could not have been greater. Many of the presentations for the general medicine wards were for HIV-related illnesses and diseases seldom seen in the western world. Tuberculosis is incredibly common and well as malaria, which in endemic to the area.
The most daunting experience I had while in Livingstone was during my third week when I was asked to travel to a small rural community called Mukuni Village which is 1 hour outside of Livingstone and run a one-man medical clinic for the residents there for the week. Armed only with my Oxford Clinical Skills Handbook, I slowly got into the swing of things and was able to manage certain complaints and diseases( but for many difficult presenting complaints I had to refer them onto specialty clinics they run at the hospital).
In contrasting the surgical experience at Cambridge to the one I had in Zambia, it was obvious to see the different in patient care, practice and post-operative management which is essentially put down to the lack of resources that he hospital is afforded.
35 | SURGIA Newsletter The General Surgery Edition