Volunteer Activity
Community Healthcare
Jul-Aug 2009
Public Health
May 2010
Andrew Lee, Clinical Lecturer in Public Health / GP travelled to the Maldives as part of the Sheffield Collaborative. He was primarily based at Hulhumale hospital and spent the first part of his placement examining local public health activity and opportunities. He visited the Centre for Health and Disease Control, which is akin to a UK Public Health Department, and looked at scope for its greater integration with the main hospital staff.
Child Protection
May 2010
David Campbell, Consultant Paediatrician was asked by Mariya Ali, Deputy Health Minister, to look at local child protection practices. Since David provides part of the child protection service in Sheffield, in conjunction with a police medical officer and specialists in child protection, he was able to make useful recommendations regarding scope for improving services for vulnerable children. He noted that whilst Social Services had robust written procedures for dealing with suspected child abuse, there were gaps in its delivery.
Drug Rehabilitation
December – February 2009/10
Jonathon Drewhurst and Jennifer Drife, Drug Rehabilitation Psychiatrists, were placed around Male' for 3 months. During that time they liaised with, and held workshops with the Ministry of Health, the police, relevant NGOs and hospital staff. Some of the projects they worked on included investigating suicides and mental health problems amongst drug users, examining data relating to methadone clinics, surveying attitudes to needle sharing in injecting users and conducting a training programme for local drug rehabilitation counsellors.
Quality Improvement
May 2010
Andrew Lee, Clinical Lecturer in Public Health / GP and Fiona Campbell, Research Associate / Health Visitor / District Nurse also went to the Maldives as part of the Sheffield Collaborative. They ran extensive training programmes in Quality Improvement Through Audit and Research. They both assisted delegates to apply the principles of audit and research to practical situations, which the delegates wished to explore further.
Specialist Services
October 2009
Somma Ahir Cardiac Nurse Specialist worked at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Male' for 1 month. She undertook patient care and staff development in the Intensive Critical Care Unit and also did a large amount of training throughout the hospital. She developed resource files and clinical guidelines to improve the quality of care for critically ill patients.
Volunteer Teachers
In January 2012, twenty-five new volunteer teachers have taken up placements in schools across the Maldives. They have been well prepared for their roles, and were warmly received on the islands. They will be teaching a variety of subjects including mathematics, sciences, humanities, arts and computing. The Maldivian High Commission has already received some very positive feedback from the islanders of Kudahuvadhoo, regarding the volunteer teachers who are working there.
