Obstetricians and gynaecologists needed to support women in poor countries

02/11/2011 11:45:00

Obstetricians and gynaecologists across Britain are being challenged to take up their most demanding but rewarding career move yet as international development charity VSO launches its recruitment drive for 25 much needed skilled and experienced obstetricians and gynaecologists to volunteer in some of the world’s poorest countries next year.   

 

VSO is the world’s leading independent international development charity that works through volunteers helping to tackle global poverty by sharing their professional skills and changing the lives of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. 

 

Over half a million women still die annually as a result of complications in pregnancy*.  In sub-Saharan Africa the odds of a woman dying from maternal related causes is 1 in 22, compared to 1 in 7,300 in the developed world*.  Many of these deaths could be avoided with access to the right medical care. 
 
With cut backs and redundancies affecting the UK’s health sector workforce, VSO is urging experienced obstetricians and gynaecologists to seriously consider taking a career enhancing and possibly life-changing break which will ultimately help save the lives of some of the poorest and most disadvantaged populations in developing countries.  There are around 20 posts for volunteers who can spend one to two years overseas and five shorter-term placements of three to six months.

 

VSO also runs a Fellowship scheme with The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) which offers UK specialist trainees a yearlong opportunity to improve maternal health in developing countries.  The personal and professional development gained by obstetricians and gynaecologists is supported by the RCOG. 

 

The charity urgently needs to recruit 25 obstetricians and gynaecologists who can start vital volunteering posts throughout 2012 in developing countries like Sierra Leone, Tanzania and The Gambia.  The number of required volunteers may seem small but the effects of 25 professionals working with VSO’s partner organisations within national ministries of health and local communities has significant, far reaching and hugely positive outcomes.       

Volunteers will be involved in a wide range of work, depending on their experience and skills.  This will involve everything from clinical work to teaching and training in a rural district or teaching hospital.    

 

Brian Rockliffe (OBE), director of VSO UK said: “We’re urging obstetricians and gynaecologists who are looking for an exciting, rewarding and life-changing experience in 2012 to get in touch.  If volunteering and helping to save and change lives of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable women is something you’ve always wanted to do, then this could be your chance.  It’s also an excellent way to develop professionally and personally. 
 
“There’s increasing concern about how to overcome the global health challenges and ensure significantly improved health outcomes for the world’s poorest communities.  Poverty is one of the fundamental causes of ill health.  However, through VSO’s vital health work and your expertise and skills we can develop stronger and more accessible health systems through our knowledge sharing so that the poorest and most vulnerable populations in the 44 countries where we work can realise their right to health care.”

 

Dr Sonia Barnfield was volunteering with VSO as an obstetrician and gynaecologist in Indonesia for one year.  She’s a member of the RCOG and volunteered as part of the collaborative Fellowship scheme with VSO.  She said: “I was helping improve the skills of two doctors and a small team of midwives and general practitioners at Soe Public Hospital, so that they would be better able to respond to emergency obstetric cases.  I used every opportunity to teach them.  I could have done everything myself, but then nothing would change once I’d left. 

 

“By volunteering I gained a completely different experience. It’s not just teaching, but also managerial experience. I managed the obstetrics unit which in the UK is a job normally undertaken by consultants and managers.  I feel I now have more management skills and that I’m more self-sufficient and decisive.  I’d definitely recommend taking the opportunity to volunteer with VSO.  You won’t change the world overnight, but little changes help. If you sustain just a few procedures, then you’ve made a difference.” 

Those applying for volunteering posts will be assessed and matched to the best placement for their skills and experience.  VSO's recruitment process normally takes between four and nine months.  Those wishing to volunteer are advised to start the process within 12 months of being ready to volunteer.  

  

VSO volunteers are provided with full training, flights, accommodation and an allowance to cover basic costs.  Unlike many UK-based volunteering organisations, VSO does not charge individuals to volunteer and its recruitment policy is based on matching the right professionals with the correct skills and qualities rather than on the ability to pay. 

 

The charity holds a series of free events which interested healthcare professionals can attend to find out more about volunteering and full details are available at www.vso.org.uk/events/. 
 

Editor's notes

About VSO

VSO is different from most organisations that fight poverty. Instead of sending money or food, we bring people together to share skills and knowledge. In doing so, we create lasting change.

Our volunteers work in whatever fields are necessary to address the forces that keep people in poverty – from education and health through helping people learn the skills to make a living. In doing so, they invest in local people, so the impact they have endures long after their placement ends.

 

For further media information please contact:

Susannah Taw, VSO Media Officer 0208 780 7621 / 07891 565592