However the statistics revealed by Dr Simon Fraser, (GP and Speciality Registrar in Public Health) in his presentation to third year medical students at yesterday’s Scientific Basis of Medicine Seminar at University Hospitals Southampton, left one under no illusion. On a global basis the biggest threat to health and life expectancy are non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. The WHO website tells us that these diseases:
“ are the leading cause of mortality in the world. This invisible epidemic is an under-appreciated cause of poverty and hinders the economic development of many countries…36 million of the 57 million global deaths in 2008 were due to NCDs.”
Dr Fraser revealed that in Glasgow life expectancy is 28 years less than someone living a mere 13 kilometres further south; the life expectancy of someone living in Lesotho is 48 years where as for someone living in Japan it is 83. Clearly social determinants are key, with poverty a leading factor. He shared a poor woman from Moldova’s own definition as
“poverty is pain, it feels like a disease. It attacks a person, not only materially, but also morally. It eats away one’s dignity and drives one into total despair.”
The problem therefore is enormous but not overwhelming as I discovered through my own involvement in the health 
link that University Hospitals Southampton has become involved in as a partner with Ghana Health Services and child welfare charity Afrikids. For me seeing really was believing when I visited the Upper East Region of Ghana in January 2009 and witnessed with my own eyes the abject poverty, hunger and poor access to health, along with learning that there was only 1 doctor per 36,000 people. I realised quite rapidly that with the effort of a few, significant benefits in terms of capacity building and sustainable health outcomes could be achieved.
In 18 months, the health initiative known as the G.A.S Partnership, has sent health professionals to the region to train staff in our targeted areas of Maternity, Paediatrics, Theatres/Anaesthetics and Imaging. Frameworks have been established to improve the patient pathway, theatre practice including the use of the W.H.O Surgical Checklist, estate and facility management working with 7 hospitals in the region, as well as assisting in the design and development of a dedicated mother and children’s unit. The health link has been awarded the prestigious 3rd Sector public/private partnership of the year in the UK and will continue to grow in strength. So, as an African proverb says and repeated by Dame Anita Roddick:
“If you think you’re too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito!”
Listen to what the people of Ghana have to say about the support they have received so far through our partner Afrikids: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kORAqCV8Ijc&feature=fvsr and to register an interest in getting involved email info@gaspartnership.org
With thanks to Dr Richard Newsom for his contribution to the international health agenda and for organizing the seminar.
Tags: Afrikids, Ghana, International Health, Mortality, Poverty, University Hospital Southampton, WHO
The G.A.S fundraising team started the New Year in style with a sociable opportunity to review last year’s successes and plan a host of fundraising events for the forthcoming year at a working lunch organised by Chairman Phillip Hancock and held at the Royal Southampton Yacht Club.
