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. With his prior experience in running primary health care and tuberculosis control programmes overseas, and expertise in tropical medicine, he was ideally placed to advise on practical ways in which the hospital could play a greater role in health promotion and education, and disease prevention. As an example, he undertook smoking cessation and drug awareness training with the local police, and suggested ways the hospital could engage more effectively with the local healthy population, through workshops in schools etc.
Andrew's Report on Public Health Services, and observations from Hulhumale Hospital can be viewed at Public Health Report 2010
Andrew spent the second half of his placement running a quality improvement training programme (see below). He was also able to take a little time out from his hectic schedule to enjoy a sea fishing trip, with his colleague, Paul Harvey.
