Southern Ethiopia - Gwent Health Link

Present

Dave Williams, Dave Sanders, Peter Smith, Biku Ghosh, Lynn McDonnell, Alan Terry, Kyle Jaques, Michelle Hall, Melrose East, Pamela Powell, Peter Sampson (Chair), Brydon Williams, Sally Venn

Apologies

Helen Houston, Stephanie Petrie, Denise Lewis, Carole Garrick, Jo Weiner, Jo Keen, Catherine Novi, Paul Clyburn, Wendy Warren, Grace Thomas

Minutes of last meeting

Minutes of the last meeting were agreed as an accurate record

Matters Arising

The THET application for funding the evaluation of links was successful. £5,000 has been awarded but not yet received. Thanks were extended to Robyn who was instrumental in writing the submission document. Work is now underway to develop evaluation tools for all aspects of the work being undertaken especially in the Health Centres.

There has been no news on the WAG submission for funding. Biku, Carole and Robyn presented the submission and felt that it went well. However there is only £50,000 for the many applications. The education minister is being lobbied for more funding.

The community group met on February 18th. There were some issues within the group which resulted in Alan Terry resigning as chairman. An AGM will be held in September. An interim committee will run the group until then. Alan remains the community link representative for the health link and his work within the group has been very much appreciated. Further money has been applied for to continue the work of the community link.

Biku has been in contact with the three health centres. The link coordinator Misganaw has visited each of the health centres and has sent a report. All health centres are expecting the forthcoming visit by the link and communication between the two is improving.

A stage one application for lottery funding for the Gwent link, Kings College link and Cheltenham link has been submitted via THET. The money applied for Gwent is approx £200,000. If successful, this will enable the link to further its assistance to the health centres with larger projects eg purchasing ambulances

Four members of Cardiff University recently visited Hwassa to deliver a research workshop. Dr Yifru has been invited to speak at a conference in Cardiff University on Monday March 31st. The conference is entitled ‘Global Health Event: Cardiff for Africa’ and will form part of their 125th Anniversary Celebrations. The link will present posters outlining the work. Jane, Robyn and Melrose agreed to attend with Biku.

The Church Hall in Abergavenny has been booked for the ceilidh for June 20th but the band has not yet confirmed. Dave will produce tickets, raffle etc by the next meeting.

Visit to Ethiopia in February/March 2008

Unfortunately Peter Smith is unable to join the group due to ill health.

Misgannw has made the arrangements for the visit in Ethiopia. Biku has acquired various items of equipment requested by the health centres and hospital. 3 ambulance stretchers have been purchased at a cost of £600 with a further £500 being spent to transport them via Ethiopian cargo. BP monitors, weighing scales and thermometers have been purchased. Cleaning equipment and protective items have also been obtained. Peter and Pam have helped purchase of books for the laboratory training at a much reduced cost. The author was particularly interested in the work of the link. Each participant will be able to take away a copy of the textbook.

Dave outlined the CPD workshop for laboratory staff that will be held during the visit. 2 previous courses have been held and have been much appreciated by the participants as many work in isolation with no opportunity for updating. The course will be held in Hwassa hospital for approx 40 participants. Biku will be providing some training on communication skills and Pam will be undertaking Glucometer training.

Other members of the group will be visiting the 3 health centres and will spend approx 2 days at each centre. The aim is to support further on-site     training and to meet with local community groups. Base line evaluations will also be commenced.

Peter Sampson will be reviewing and advising on organisational, leadership and management skills at the health centres.