Reconstruction of the Special Care Baby Unit

A somewhat belated birth announcement: 

On the 12^th of December 2011, the Minister of Health and Sanitation was invited to the Ola During Children’s Hospital to attend a ceremony to officially handover the new neonatal unit to the Ministry.

In the previous months, many people worked hard to improve the neonatal unit. The original unit was small and cramped, with limited beds for neonates and no place for the mothers to stay. In order to increase capacity and to improve the quality of care provided to our smallest patients, the hospital and its partners decided to make some significant changes. With funding from UNFPA and oversight from Welbodi Partnership, the old neonatal ward was transformed into a mothers’ lodge and the adjacent maternity ward was vacated to accommodate a new, upgraded neonatal ward. The much-needed reconstruction project doubled the size of the unit and provided a separate outpatient consultation room, an isolation room, a place for mothers to stay near their children, and more space overall.

So it was with great excitement and enthusiasm that the UNFPA country representative handed over the unit to the Minister of Health and Sanitation. The ceremony was followed by a tour through the new Special Care Baby Unit which now has the capacity for 40 neonates. This new unit is a step in the right direction to improving neonatal care in Sierra Leone. 

Introducing the newest members of the Welbodi team

Our luck continues! Once again we have been able to recruit some incredibly skilled and experienced staff and volunteers.

Dr. Tom Pearson joined us in January as the Team Leader and Project Manager for the new Comic Relief grant. He has a Diploma in Tropical Medicine from Liverpool and a Masters in Public Health in Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, as well as experience in several developing countries around the world. Tom has a particular interest in long term capacity building in human resources for health, and will be managing the Welbodi team and coordinating the Welbodi Partnership activities.

Dr. Tom Hutchison (yes, another Dr. Tom!) is the second volunteer consultant paediatricians to spend three months in Freetown providing training and mentorship to the ODCH doctors and aspiring paediatric residents. A fellow in the Royal College of Physicians and Paediatrics and a consultant paediatrician at the Bath & North East Somerset Primary Care Trust, Tom has in recent years developed an expertise in tropical medicine and has committed himself to spending several months each year volunteering overseas. He arrived in Freetown in January for the first of what we hope will be many postings at ODCH.

Sarata Nyamacoro Silla is a trained nurse who is originally from Sierra Leone, but has lived and worked in the UK for two decades. She has extensive experience as a nurse manager and trainer, and recently returned to Freetown to contribute her skills to improving healthcare in her native country. Sarata is volunteering with Welbodi for one year, and has already been a great asset, working alongside the ODCH staff and managers to help improve and advance nurse management and training. One of her first projects was to pilot an appraisal system for all senior nurses, which identified important areas for support.

Finally, Sebastian Wilson joined us in January as a part-time administrator. He came to us from Safe Haven Children's Trust, and in recent years he helped establish Mlop Children's Home, a specialist ECD centre working with children and families in Cambodia. He currently also works for Whizz-Kidz, sits on the Board of Advisors for Mlop and is studying BSc Social Science at Birkbeck. Before moving into the charity sector, Seb was a restaurant manager in London and Sommelier in New York. Seb will be supporting Welbodi from London two days a week.

Welcome all!

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Developing the laboratory at ODCH

During the past two years, Welbodi helped to facilitate a laboratory development project between ODCH and the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University, in collaboration with THET, the British Council and the Oxted Trust. In the first year, three technicians went to Swansea for laboratory training for a period of 4 weeks. This was a chance for them to see how a lab in the developed world functions, as well as to learn various laboratory techniques on equipment that had been purchased specifically for the lab at ODCH. After their return to Freetown, the technicians were able to start implementing the standard operating procedures that they prepared while in Swansea, tailored to the situation in Freetown. They also trained their colleagues in various techniques, such as using pipettes.

In July, a team of lab experts from the UK and the Gambia visited ODCH to provide technical advice and training to the lab technicians. They helped install the new equipment and put in place systems to make the laboratory services more efficient and beneficial to the patients. A key aspect of the visit was to build in quality control so the technicians would have confidence that they are delivering accurate results. The team from the UK and the Gambia returned again in November to wrap up the project.

The laboratory has definitely improved over the course of the two years. More tests are now available and the results are more reliable, although many challenges remain and there is still room for improvement. It is now up to the laboratory staff to continue working systematically and to aim for high standards, but the Welbodi Partnership will be there to support them in this effort. It is true that the laboratory staff face many challenges, including a heavy work load, serving both ODCH and the neighboring maternity hospital, and a shortage of consumables. We hope to be able to provide some equipment, such as microscopes, and to help with the organization within the laboratory. We will also continue to look for more training opportunities.

On behalf of the laboratory staff, we would like to thank ABMU and the other partners for their commitment to ODCH and for seeing this project through.

Improving emergency triage and treatment

We are excited to launch a new initiative in the coming months to conduct quarterly trainings in Emergency Triage and Assessment (ETAT) for nurses and doctors, and to provide ongoing mentoring and support between courses to ensure the skills are implemented in clinical practice.

Welbodi has been committed to training since our inception. We believe in the value of training people in knowledge and skills and providing them with the opportunity to refresh what they have learnt in the past. As part of this commitment to training, we have on several occasions facilitated a World Health Organization (WHO)-designed course for nurses called ETAT, Emergency Triage and Treatment. During the four-day course, nurses are taught to recognize emergency signs and commence emergency treatment. The busy but fun course is something the hospital staff members always look forward to.

Over time, we realized that to make these ETAT courses even more successful, we needed to ensure that what was taught in the classroom was transferred to the wards. It is this implementation that will change nursing practice and improve the quality of care provided in the hospital.

As a result, Welbodi is now supporting a new initiative, developed along with our hospital partners and approved by the Sierra Leone Institute of Child Health (SLICH) board, to conduct ETAT training 3-4 times a year for both doctors and nurses. Crucially, we will also launch an implementation and mentorship phase to follow the initial course, as well as a one-day refresher course for those who have already been through the course.

Together with a nurse educator volunteering with VSO, the Welbodi team will soon conduct a mentorship workshop with some of the nurses who successfully completed ETAT in the past and who are now excited to teach others. That way, they can help us deliver some of the ETAT training, as well as provide one-on-one mentorship on the wards after the course has been completed. We will also purchase four manikins, to be used during the training to teach hospital staff life saving skills.We are sure this new program will improve the standard of care in the hospital.

Sierra Leone Seven Years On...

A post from Sandra Lako, Welbodi Partnership volunteer

Seven years ago today I flew into Lungi airport on an SN Brussels flight together with a few other people who were soon to be my colleagues and housemates. I remember it being hot and sticky while we were waiting to get on a helicopter to reach Freetown. I remember the drive along the beach road to get to Wilberforce to our team house. I remember falling in love with our amazing gazebo there. And getting settled in to a place that I would call home for the next four years!

My plan was to come to Sierra Leone to set up an outpatient clinic at the Mercy Ships Centre in Aberdeen. I planned to be here for a year. After being in Sierra Leone for only a week I soon realised the horrific child health statistics and the dire need for paediatric care. I knew what my mission was: a paediatric clinic. And that is what happened. I successfully set up a paediatric clinic for children 12 years old and under in Aberdeen and managed/ran clinics there for four years. Despite the many challenges, I loved it. I loved getting to know the children and families and being able to follow-up my patients. I enjoyed working with my Sierra Leonean colleagues. But after four and a half years it was time to move on.

I left Sierra Leone for a period of 10 months, in which I spent time in the US, Netherlands and Haiti (post-earthquake). I was keen to continue with healthcare in the developing world and looked into various options in Africa and Haiti, but Sierra Leone’s magnet pulled me back. I looked into various options and fortunately, Welbodi Partnership, my first choice post, was keen to have me on board and before I knew it I was on my way back to Salone.

And so since June 2010 I have been working at the only children’s hospital in the country. I initially worked as medical coordinator and team leader and have recently switched to the role of senior advisor. I am leaving a lot of the team management and logistics behind and hoping to be involved more clinically as well as continue with projects such as the development of the laboratory and radiology departments. There’s enough work to do, so I’m sure I’ll still have my hands full!

It has been an amazing seven years. I have met so many people. Many expats have come and gone and I’ve definitely made some life-long friends. I have become friends with a number of Sierra Leones and appreciate how they put up with me, my complaints, and my ignorance at times, and I am grateful for the advice they give me. The work has been challenging. It’s sometimes hard to see how things have changed when you’re in the middle of it. But having been here for seven years I can definitely say that although we have a long way to go, things have certainly improved. The Children’s hospital now has running water, a back-up generator, oxygen concentrators, an emergency room and triage system, etc.

I have no idea how long I’ll stay. It could be a year, it could be years. There’s still a lot to do here. Although the child health statistics have improved (we are now have the fourth highest child mortality rate in the world instead of the highest), they are nowhere near good enough. I feel like my mission is not yet over. So, I will press on and play my part. Thanks for journeying with me.

First posted @ http://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2012/03/08/sandra-lako-sierra-leone-seven-years-on/

Join Team Welbodi

We are excited to announce that there are places available in The Welbodi Partnership Team for the Bupa London 10k on the 27th of May.

Following part of the 2012 Olympic circuit and running through London’s most famous streets (with not a car in sight), this is a highlight in any runner’s calendar.

The Welbodi Partnership is growing and you can be part of that growth. By taking part and raising money through sponsorship we can continue to save the lives of children in Sierra Leone.

As well as supporting a fantastic cause the day will be great fun for runners and spectators alike. For information on how to apply and details of how we can help you prepare ring Seb on 07990 500 277 or email sebastian.wilson@welbodipartnership.org.

Official entry has closed and our places are limited so act quickly. 

See you there!

Freetown Vacancy Announcement: Project Officer

The Welbodi Partnership will not accept CVs and cover letters for this position. Please complete an APPLICATION FORM, otherwise your application will not be considered. The application form can be collected from the Welbodi office at Ola During Children’s Hospital during weekday office hours (8.30am-4.30pm), alternatively please email jobs@welbodipartnership.org to request an application form.

The Welbodi Partnership actively encourages applications from qualified Sierra Leoneans at home or in the Diaspora.

FREETOWN VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: Project Officer for Welbodi Partnership

Location: Ola During Children’s Hospital, Fourah Bay Road, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Assignment Length: one year, with possibility to extend.

Salary and Benefits: annual gross salary of up to US$9,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

Reports to: Welbodi Partnership Project Manager.

Application Deadline: 5pm, Friday 3rd February 2012.

Interested candidates should please complete and email or hand-deliver the Welbodi Partnership Application Form to: The Project Manager, Welbodi Partnership, Ola During Children’s Hospital, Fourah Bay Road, Freetown, Sierra Leone. Email: jobs@welbodipartnership.org

The Welbodi Partnership is a UK-registered charity working with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, the Ola During Children’s Hospital (ODCH) management and other stakeholders to fund, implement and evaluate locally-conceived projects through the Sierra Leone Institute of Child Health (SLICH). It forms part of the Government of Sierra Leone’s Strategic Plan for Reproductive and Child Health.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about improving child healthcare in Sierra Leone. The position offers the opportunity to build skills and work towards assuming primary project management and monitoring and evaluation responsibilities.

The Welbodi Partnership actively encourages applications from qualified Sierra Leoneans at home or in the Diaspora.

SLICH is supported by a grant from the Comic Relief Common Ground Initiative. To learn more about us, please visit our website at www.welbodipartnership.org.

Responsibilities The Project Officer works closely with the Project Manager to ensure that the project objectives and outcomes are monitored, evaluated and met. This role includes:

1. Working with the Project manager to assist ODCH and other hospital stakeholders to develop, submit for funding and approval through SLICH, and implement projects to improve the quality of care in the hospital.

2. Working with the Project manager to develop and implement a system to enable parents and community members to develop and submit their own ideas for improving the quality of care at ODCH.

3. Working with the Project manager to design and implement the monitoring, evaluation and learning components of the project in line with the grant agreement, including sharing information and lessons learnt with our partners.

4. Working with the Project manager to prepare high quality project and financial reports in a timely fashion.

5. Establishing and maintaining close working relationships with our partners at ODCH, in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and others to ensure their appropriate involvement and buy in throughout

6. Maintaining a positive outlook at work and working productively in a pressurized environment.

7. Other duties necessary for the success of the project and of the Welbodi Partnership.

Required Qualifications, Experience and Skills

 Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred but other qualifications (such as Community Health Officer) with appropriate experience will be considered.

 Commitment to the goals and principles of the Welbodi Partnership (please see the website for details of these: www.welbodipartnership.org)

 Training and experience in monitoring and evaluation.

 Excellent people skills and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds.

 Ability to work with flexibility, patience and problem solving skills with a focus, and the presence of mind, to work in sometimes difficult and chaotic circumstances.

 Excellent written and oral English communication skills and interpersonal skills.

 Fluent in Krio.

 Excellent computer skills particularly in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications, Experience and Skills

 Professional experience of healthcare and/or development work.

 Experience in project management.

 Experience in basic financial management.

 Experience in conducting focus group discussions, carrying out surveys/questionnaires in communities and presentation of results.

 Fluency in local languages. 

PLEASE NOTE: The Welbodi Partnership will not accept CVs and cover letters for this position. Please complete an APPLICATION FORM, otherwise your application will not be considered. The application form can be collected from the Welbodi office at Ola During Children’s Hospital during weekday office hours (8.30am-4.30pm), alternatively please email jobs@welbodipartnership.org to request an application form.

The Welbodi Partnership actively encourages applications from qualified Sierra Leoneans at home or in the Diaspora.