Endoscopic training project in Malawi and acute medical training in Malawi

Overall goals

To run regular endoscopy training courses: Foundation, Basic skills, Therapeutic skills and Train-the-Trainers courses, together with parallel nurse training courses.
These courses are UK approved, but Malawi adapted, training courses - models for initial training and patients for the more advanced training.
Formal validated feedback is used for each trainee and feedback on the course and training is obtained from all trainees.
To support the three main Malawi Central hospitals (QECH, KCH and MCH) with endoscopic equipment donations from GG&CHB and Industry charitable donations.
To also run training courses in Acute medical emergencies and support and advise the three main hospitals above in the running of their medical High Dependency Units.

Key UK Colleagues and Partners

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde,
The University of Glasgow,
British Society of Gastroenterology,
Glasgow City Council (help with the shipment of equipment), Endoscopic Industry charitable support.

International Partners

Queen-Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) Blantyre, Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), Lilongwe & Mzuzu Central Hospital (MCH) Mzuzu, Malawi.
Medical College of Malawi.
Malawi-Liverpool-Welcome Trust.

Sustainable development goals

• SDG 3 - Good health and well-being
• SDG 4 - Quality education
• SDG 9 - Industry, innovation and infrastructure
• SDG 17 - Partnerships for the goals

Funding source

Funding sources to date include an RCPSG Charity grant and a British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) education & training grant

Project origin

Partnership was initiated by a previous UK (BSG) - Malawi gastroenterology research link (Professor Melita Gordon)

Evidence of need

n/a

Project areas

Healthcare & service

Project activities

Annual training courses 2012-present

8 endoscopy training courses (including Foundation, Basic skills, Therapeutic skills. Train-the Trainers) in addition to parallel endoscopy nurse training.

Four Malawian colleagues are qualified endoscopy trainers and join the faculty on courses.

The provision 16 functioning endoscopes, 3 processors, 4 monitors and large amounts of ancillary endoscopic equipment.

The three major Central hospitals have fully functioning endoscopy units.

A pilot training course in Acute medical emergencies at Mzuzu Central Hospital was run in 2017 and the plan is to expand this to Lilongwe (KCH) and Blantyre (QECH) in 2018.

Changes

Increase the number of Malawian endoscopists and nurses with the skills to manage the common condition of Gastrointestinal bleeding there due to schistosomiasis infection.

Improve endoscopic equipment provision in the three main Central hospitals in Malawi in Blantyre (QECH), Lilongwe (KCH) and Mzuzu (MCH).

Improve training and service in Acute Medical Emergencies for the above hospitals.

Next steps

In  November 2018 in Blantyre, Malawi further endoscopic courses for junior Malawi clinicians will be held.

A novel regional training symposium in Liver Disease (Viral Hepatitis and chronic Liver disease are common in Malawi) is planned.

Training courses in Acute Medical emergencies planned, at KCH and QECH

Challenges

Providing regular equipment as required for the Malawian hospitals has at times been challenging.

Mitigating challenges

n/a

Partnership principles

• strategic
• harmonised
• effective
• respectful
• organised
• responsible
• flexible

Project gains

• leadership
• teamwork
• awareness
• academic
• resilience