Projects

Training

Vision

There are many mission hospitals and health clinics in this part of Africa (see the overview of CMML medical work in Africa) that are in the midst of a staffing crisis. There are two main reasons for this.

Problems recruiting African staff: In Zambia many of the medical graduates in the last twenty years have left the country, with many moving to South Africa or the United Kingdom. Many registered nurses have also left the country.

Problems recruiting expatriate staff: This is due to the changes in medical training. Whereas 25 years ago medical training equipped doctors with the broad practical skills, (eg: general medicine, obstetrics, and some basic anaesthetic and surgical skills), necessary to work in an African hospital. Now medical training is more theoretical, and practical skills are usually gained in an area of specialist training.

Because of this it was felt there was a need for a training hospital in central Africa, to enable doctors and nurses, (from either African or Western countries) to receive the practical training required to equip them for work in a rural African hospital. Echoes of Service recommended Kalene for redevelopment as a training hospital. By helping to train staff for the other medical facilities in the broader area, it is hoped that the redevelopment of Kalene Hospital will benefit all.

Nursing School

The nursing school has reopened in 2008. This provides a two year training program for qualification as a ZEN (Zambian Enrolled Nurse).

Medical Electives

Zambian medical students are encouraged to apply. Some knowledge of Lunda is helpful. (Most patients speak only Lunda.)
Medical students from countries outside Zambia are also welcome to apply. It usually takes a month to adjust, so we recommend that an elective here should be for a minimum of six weeks (preferably longer.

Practical apprenticeship for qualified staff

Practical training of qualified medical, clinical officer and nursing staff is based on an apprenticeship model. Staff coming for training (either from Zambia, DRC, Angola or a western country) will come with a specific set of practical skills that they need to learn. They would have the opportunity to learn these skills in a supportive environment and with appropriate supervision. When competency was achieved, they will then be encouraged to move to the hospital or clinic they were planning to work in. The training will be flexible. We have recently trained a doctor from New Zealand for six months, and are currently working with a newly qualified doctor from DRC for a period of one year.

Hospital Renovation Projects

Current renovations

The major renovation projects in the first six months of 2009 have been building a second hostel for the nursing school and four tutor houses. This project has been made possible by funding from the Zambian government, and is using local labour, under the supervision of Kasongu Muke. We are also completing two new houses for qualified hospital staff. This was made possible by funding from the Beit Trust. A major rewiring of the hospital, funded by Brass Tacks was commenced in 2008, and will be completed this year. CHAZ has also assisted with funding to enable us to renovate the pharmacy store and three rooms which will be used as part of the HIV program. We are very grateful to the groups that have made these renovations possible.

Brass Tacks, a UK based building and maintenance group commenced a major renovation of the hospital in June 2006. The first phase included the replacement of the toilet blocks, extensions to the plumbing and drainage system, roof repair and painting. The second phase, in 2007, included a new toilet block for the delivery ward, completion of work in the children's ward, and a new hospital incinerator. In 2008 the rewiring of the hospital commenced.
Medical Missionary News have sent containers of medicines and building materials to Kalene and help with purchasing medical equipment.

Resources:
Pictures (1.2MB PDF) of the renovation progress (Revised June 2007).
Workshop Story (2.1MB PDF) for the story in pictures of how Kalene got a new workshop (Revised June 2007).

Electrical Power Generation and Distribution

In 1964 the potential for power generation was identified at the point where the Zambezi rapids start, just a few kilometres away from Kalene Hospital. Following the establishment of a Trust Board, and a significant fund raising project, work on the hydroelectric scheme began in March 2004. This has been a community project, using local labour and materials as much as is possible. The objective has been to promote the development of the surrounding area. When the hydroelectric project is running at full capacity, 750kVA of electricity will be generated. Since June 2007 the hospital has had reliable 24 hour electricity.  Lines have now been distributed to Nyakaseya, Ikelenge,  Sakeji School and to Hillwood farm. Further work on the distribution system is planned for 2009.

Resources:
Pictures of the development (3.6MB, PDF). Revised June 2007
Some recent photos were included in a blog.