Southern Ethiopia - Gwent Health Link

Present
Jane Hervé, Robyn Phillips, Kyle Jacques, Brydon Williams, Melrose East, Grace Thomas, Pam Powell, Michelle Hall, Peter Smith, Jill Curtis, Peter Sampson, (Chair) Biku Ghosh, Tessa Gallagher, Caroline Bird (Finance), Roger Pickford, Sandy Holt – Wilson, Dave Williams

Apologies
Paul Clyburne, Philip Champness, Sally Venn, Peter Dale, Simon Slinn, Ben Jordan

Minutes of last meeting

Michelle Hall was present at the last meeting. Minutes of the last meeting were agreed as an accurate record. Newcomers were welcomed.

Matters arising

Funding – lottery funding now looks unlikely.

Attempts are being made for funding via THET in relation to the purchase of motor bike ambulances.

Simon Slinn raised just around £1,000 from running the London Marathon. He was unable to attend the meeting so Peter will write thanking him for his tremendous effort.

Safe Hands for Mothers – a joint application for funding has been submitted to DfID for £300,000, part funding for Safe Hands for Mothers for production of   four teaching films in local languages and part funding for the Link to provide further support to Health Centres and purchase of motor bike ambulances. Initial response should be received within 6-8 weeks if DfID wish the submission to be developed further.

Peter is pursuing support from The Argus newspaper regarding holding a campaign to help raise funds for motor bike ambulances.

Peter Smith has contacted the Unions who have indicated that they may also be able to provide financial support. It was thought that they may be able to encourage pay roll giving.

Peter had been unable to gain financial support from Procurement.

Eye surgery – Sandy has agreed to support funding equipment for the Health Centres from his own charity. Cost of surgical equipment, steriliser, ophthalmoscopes etc will cost approx £2000. A list of equipment has been identified by Dr Joseph in Hwassa and most of the items can be purchased in Addis by Dr Aberra.

Orphans – Biku and Lynne are hoping to meet with a local church group who may be able to help.

The Leicester Gondar Link, who provide shelter for orphans, have been contacted but there has been no response to date. Sandy knows Elaine who has set up the Kindu Trust and he will try to find out more information.

Evaluation – Robyn has written the 2nd draft evaluation report for THET together with an Executive Summary. This will provide an excellent baseline for future comparison of work undertaken in each Health Centre. Robyn was thanked for all her hard work in producing such an informative document.

Wondogenet HC will fund their own IT link. Other Health Centres may need support.

Motor Bike Ambulances – At the last visit to the Health Centres in March 2008, staff in all 3 centres and the local community commented on the need for an ambulance for safe transfer of seriously ill patients. The motor bike ambulance with fixed sidecar, made by e ranger in S Africa, seems to be the most appropriate. It costs approx £3,500 to purchase with a further £2,500 required for transporting to Ethiopia and training personnel. There may also be a 100% import tax. Total cost would be in the region of £10,000. Delivery time is approx 6-8 weeks.

It was felt that the local Ethiopian communities should be approached and an agreement made that they must support the cost of running and maintaining the vehicles.

Biku has had discussions with the Regional Health Board to waive the import tax. An application needs to be sent by the end of June. Biku will arrange this.

Biku explained that the company making the motor bikes could supply two ambulances, one paid for now and the second paid next year. This was discussed by the group but it was felt that at this stage, with the link having some financial constraints, that one motor bike ambulance should be purchased this year and if funds allowed another could be purchased next year especially if tax relief was granted.
Local motor bike clubs could be approached to support the appeal by raising funds.