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Biku Ghosh in Ethiopia

A CONSULTANT surgeon from Abergavenny's Nevill Hall Hospital has travelled to Ethiopia to offer medical help in an area which only has 11 hospitals for its 15 million people.

Biku Ghosh is a central figure in The Link (formerly the Nevill Hall-Dilla Link) which started in 2000 following a request from the Dilla College of Health Sciences in Southern Region of Ethiopia to help with skills training of frontline health workers.

Mr Ghosh heads a team of eight people who will teach in training workshops as well as working with local community leaders.

It has also developed three health centres which will serve 300,000 people, providing it with essential equipment such as surgical instruments, infection control measures and training CDs.

He said: "We are working in areas where the people are far less fortunate than ourselves.

But our help is something we do in all spheres of life, be it with neighbours, family or extended family.

"This may be in a different situation, but everyone should help those not as lucky as themselves if they have the opportunity."

The average life expectancy is only 49, with an infant mortality rate of 92 per 1,000 births and 90% of the region live in rural areas with no access to doctors or a hospital.

The goal of the Link is to train frontline healthcare workers and support under-resourced health care facilities such as hospitals and health centres.

"Since its inception emergency training has been provided for 300 student health officers, 110 midwives and 120 medical lab technicians.

"But most importantly, the Link has introduced a training the trainers programme for tutors so the work is sutainable," added Mr Ghosh.

The Link visits the area a few times each year and last went in November 2007.

The party currently in Ethiopia is made up of consultants, midwife trainers, computer experts and members of its trust. Six of the party are based at Nevill Hall Hospital.

4:19pm Tuesday 4th March 2008

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