An editorial in The Ghanaian Chronicle caught my interest. Dr. Beeko, a local physician, discusses the balance between human expertise and medical technology. He makes a persuasive case for both, but his central points are:Technology can dramatically improve health care.Ghana has little medical equipment and should strive for more.The little they do have is falling … Continue reading Ghost of a machine.
Author: Mark
Student humanitarian aid?
Photo courtesy of Doctor of RecordHere is a question: do medical student trips to developing nations do any good?Although this has been on my mind for some time, it was brought into focus by an article by Crystal Hayling from The Center for Effective Philanthropy (I actually read it on Saundra Schimmelpfennig's blog Good Intentions Are Not … Continue reading Student humanitarian aid?
On "taking care of our own first".
Lately I have been seeing chain posts from some of my FaceBook acquaintances questioning why we send billions to "foreign" countries when we have poor, sick, starving people in "our own" countries.Of course, individuals are free to contribute towards whatever (legal) cause takes their fancy, so I assume the issue under debate here is governmental … Continue reading On "taking care of our own first".
"What makes a new NGO succeed?"
Alanna Shaikh discusses "What makes a new NGO succeed?" on Blood and Milk.Well, it looks like our group has a few of these things right:We are, indeed, highly targeted - anesthesia education is pretty niche. Although we're happy to teach non-anesthesia providers (last year in Kintampo, Ghana we taught trauma management and chronic pain management to … Continue reading "What makes a new NGO succeed?"
Gates Grants – Five Years In
Interesting article in the New York Times (20/12/2010) regarding the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's attempt to fund the resolutions to the biggest problems in global health.Seems that this article, and Mr. Gates' experience, reinforces what Easterly has been saying since 2006. Namely, that "planners" will throw excessive amounts of money at a problem with … Continue reading Gates Grants – Five Years In
Travel tips
As part of my international anesthesia education work I have found myself in some interesting and out-of-the-way places. Consequently I have picked up some tips. I figured this was a good place to share them. As I add more I'll bump this post. On these trips there is often much equipment to take. Consequently, personal luggage … Continue reading Travel tips
Books
For anyone interested in 3rd world aid (medical or otherwise), the following are a great resource. Granted, they are largely of one mind regarding the big picture, but it's hard to argue with people of their experience.As I find them, I will post additional books of interest on the 'Global Health / Surgery Books' page.The … Continue reading Books
New idea
Dusk on Cape Coast Given the fast approaching New Year, thought I'd fire up an idea I've been toying with - blogging. I find writing things down to be a worthwhile way to solidify ideas. Twitter is too brief, LinkedIn too formal, FaceBook too..... social. Blogging may be juuuust right. I hope to start / enter into conversations … Continue reading New idea
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