The journey of the Livingstone Zambia–Scotland Medical Exchange began in January 2008 with a simple yet impactful conversation. During a chance meeting between Belinda Hodge, a key figure in the Livingstone Initiative, and an American volunteer, the idea of establishing a medical exchange between Livingstone Hospital in Zambia and Scotland was born.
Recognizing the potential of this initiative, the Livingstone Initiative reached out to Dr. Peter Raine, a retired pediatrician based in Scotland who had extensive experience working in Africa. With his support, along with backing from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (RCPSG) and funding from a British charitable trust, the groundwork for the medical exchange was laid. Livingstone Central Hospital was invited to select its first candidate for the exchange program, a pivotal moment in the hospital’s history.
Dr. Nthele, Head of Clinical Services at Livingstone Central Hospital, expressed high hopes for the exchange, stating, “We are hoping that this new Medical Exchange will ultimately lead to an Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Clinic opening up in the hospital – a much-needed new service the community has been without for a long time.” The anticipation surrounding the project was palpable, as the hospital prepared to offer a critical healthcare service that had been absent for years.
The first candidate selected for the program was Dr. Alex Malambo, a junior doctor who embarked on a journey that would not only enhance his medical skills but also bring much-needed services back to his home community. Dr. Malambo was attached to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Yorkhill, Glasgow, under the coordination of Professor Robert Carachi, in the Department of Surgical Pediatrics. His training included an observership in the Department of Pediatric ENT Surgery as well as time in the Department of ENT Surgery at Gartnavel General Hospital, now part of The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow.
In March 2014, the Acting British High Commissioner to Zambia, Mr. Sean Melbourne, met Dr. Malambo during a visit to Livingstone General Hospital. This meeting underscored the significance of the exchange program and highlighted the collaborative efforts between Zambia and Scotland in improving healthcare.
Following his three-month clinical attachment in the UK, Dr. Malambo’s journey continued with support from the Zambian Government, which sponsored his enrollment in a five-year postgraduate ENT Surgical training program at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. Dr. Malambo successfully completed his training in 2020, marking a significant milestone in his career and for the medical exchange program.
Upon returning to Zambia, Dr. Malambo was posted to The University Hospital Lusaka. However, his commitment to his home community remained unwavering. At his own expense, he undertook monthly week-long visits to the newly established ENT Clinic at Livingstone Central Hospital, which had become part of the new surgical unit. This clinic, a direct result of the medical exchange, now provides essential ENT services to the community, fulfilling the promise made at the program’s inception.
The Livingstone Zambia–Scotland Medical Exchange stands as a testament to the power of international collaboration in transforming healthcare. It has not only provided advanced training for Zambian doctors but has also brought critical medical services to the people of Livingstone. As the exchange continues to grow, it promises to leave a lasting legacy of improved healthcare for generations to come.
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