Doctor Trains Liberians

Like many other parts of Liberia’s medical infrastructure, anaesthesia in this post-conflict nation is in crisis. With only one anaesthesia provider per 100,000 people and only one training school in the entire nation, Liberia faces a major problem.

To combat this crisis, Dr. Keith Thomson from the UK held his second anaesthetist conference for Liberian medical workers in early November.

The conference took place at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital (JFK) in Monrovia, and 29 trainees attended the lectures on obstetric anaesthesia, paediatric anaesthesia, and trauma management.

With Dr. Stella Eguma, a Nigerian anaesthetist who works full time at JFK, and four consultant anaesthetists from the UK, who previously have all served with Mercy Ships, Dr. Thomson worked to empower the trainees with confidence and skills. The majority of attendees were anaesthetic nurses.

At the opening, Dr. Thomson emphasized the importance of anaesthesia and how new trainees, a regular supply of basic anaesthetic drugs, and disposable equipment are vital to effective service.

Later the trainees studied ways to obtain more knowledge and skill, what is a good role model for an anaesthetist, and essential drugs. Participants left the conference expressing their increased confidence to make the right decisions in administering anaesthesia.

Dr. Thomson noted that Dr. Eguma, who will continue to train Liberians and advance anaesthesia practices in Liberia, is doing incredible work, though having consultants to help her would allow her far greater impact.

The conference was sponsored by the Association of Anaesthetists GBI, the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesia, and Mercy Ships.

Dr. Alexandra Bojarska from Manchester, Dr. Anuraag Guleria from Leeds, Dr. Michael Dockery from Kirkcaldy, Scotland, and Dr. Sarah O’Neill, Specialist Registrar on the Oxford Rotation and currently serving on the Africa Mercy, assisted each day with training.