Medical Volunteering and Cholera Aid

Macey Pattenden Start Date: Feb 2, 2024 - End Date: Apr 1, 2024
  • Livingstone, Zambia

My Travel Story

by: Macey Pattenden Start Date: Feb 2, 2024 - End Date: Apr 1, 2024
I am volunteeing in Zambia for a month to help increase the access to healthcare there! There is only one doctor for every 40,000 people, so being an extra person to help lighten the load provides vital support to their over burdened healthcare system, 

As a medical student I want helping others to be my career for life, but I'm not qualified to do this as a professional. So, the best way to help those who are in need is to volunteer, which will also further my studies and enable me to be the best doctor I can be. I can't wait to see what another country's healthcare system looks like, and to get out and help people whilst I work towards qualifying. 

Because my ambition is to become a paediatrician, I am hoping to spend as much time helping out in children's clinics as possible, as well as educating new and prospective mothers about the ways to best care for thier children. These are the priorities I have stated in my volunteering application, as they are my passions. 

Additionally, Zambia is currently experiencing a Cholera crisis. I am commiting to using a 50% percent of donations to buy water filters to bring with me on my trip, so I can ensure these go out to the communities. This will prevent the epidemic from spreading, and ensure children have access to clean, disease free water.

IVHQ - the program I am volunteering with - are renown for keeping prices low to open access to volunteering to as many people as possible. That said, there are mandatory costs associated, as well as vaccines, equipment and travel costs. The more equipment I bring with me, such as blood pressure tests, clean face masks and gloves, the more I can leave to continue making a positive impacts to the clinics I work with. 

Thank you for helping me make a difference in some small way!
  • Livingstone, Zambia

Updates

5

  • A Little Over Halfway!

    Hello Everyone! Thought I'd do a halfway through the trip (though closer to 2/3) update, for everyone to know what I've been getting up to.

    I spent the first week in a local school, getting to know the 3-5yr old kids and community of Livingstone. It was a fabulous time, though certainly a culture shock compared to the UK schools I grew up with. That said, I've never seen happier or bubblier kids.

    I've spent the following 2 in a clinic called Maramba Clinic, which has a labour ward, antenatal, urgent care, GP drop in, HIV testing, family planning and paediatric clinics running 24/7. Needless to say, they've kept me busy.

    I identified that at the clinic they have limited access to purified water, so I've decided to install one of the filters in the main care room for next week. A lot of the cases coming in have dehydration as a consequence, and/or are needing to take oral medication with water, and the clinic can't boil the required water that they go through. Having the filter will ensure that they over 28,000 they serve will have clean water when they are needing medical care.

    Working with a charity called the Zambezi sunrise trust, I completed some home visits on Wednesday 20th, and saw the situation some of these families live in. Particularly memorable were the 29 families sharing one, non pure tap. I have left the remaining filters in the hands of this charity, who have identified the locations that the filters will have the most impact. I hope to continue working with them in the future, as the people running it are UK based and are truly incredible people. Check them out of FB to see the extent of their generosity.

    Thanks for reading, can't wait to update further once the filters go in!
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  • Cholera Aid Kit!

    With the help from your donations, I've just purchased the first batch of water purification kit for the communities around Livingstone.
    I decided to use LifeStraw products, as they are renown for quality and they use part of all purchases to contribute towards water aid of their own. So, through LifeStraw we have funded 4 school kids to have access to clean water for a year!
    That's not all, as we have also provided kit that will filter 600L of water, free from Cholera and other disease. The gravity filter kit can provide 200L of water to an entire family, and can be easily refilled and dispensed. One child will not just get this, but entire families will feel the impact. I truly hope this will change lives.
    Thank you so much everyone, for the support you have given me and these families. I cannot wait for the equipment to arrive and to see the impact it has first hand. I have added some more donor rewards to bridge the gap between the different bands - please do claim your reward, its the way I can show my gratitude for the help you are all providing me.
    Thank you again everyone!
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