Dr. Barbara R Edwards July 2019 Malawi Volunteer Experience – Final Thoughts

Dr. Barbara Edwards, Princeton internist, standing with other volunteers on the Malawi mission trip

This past July I went with Villages in Partnership (VIP) for another medical mission trip to the Zomba region of Malawi, Africa.  Once again, what a fabulous experience! During our trip we set up 3 pop-up clinics in remote villages with no electricity or running water.  A group of 26 American physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and nursing students worked side by side with around 50 Malawian physicians, medics, nurses and community workers.  We treated over 5000 patients in 3 days and saw patients of all ages from newborns to the very elderly.  People arrived before daylight to wait for us and we worked until after sunset using the light of our headlamps to see.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, Princeton internist, standing with a group of doctors in Malawi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We treated a variety of illnesses including upper respiratory infections, back and joint pains, malaria, gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections, and rashes such as eczema, ringworm and scabies.  At each site there were 3 to 4 American providers and 3 to 4 Malawian providers working side by side in pairs.  This was extremely helpful to the Americans as the Malawian providers could help us to recognize conditions that we don’t often see in the States.  Moreover, we had to learn how those conditions are treated in Malawi, often using antibiotics and other medications that we don’t use in the USA.

Dr. Edwards, Princeton Internist, sitting with the doctors of Malawi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Except for the medications for malaria which were supplied by the Malawian government, we prescribed medications that we brought with us or purchased in Malawi.  All care and medications were given free of charge and dispensed from a pharmacy that we created at each site. We also dispensed non-medical items such as shoes, soap and wash clothes which can be just as important when treating a medical problem.

A group of volunteers in Malawi in the back of a truck with Dr. Barbara R Edwards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On-site testing was an important part of the clinics and was limited to blood counts, blood glucose, VDRL, malaria and HIV testing.  The HIV testing was run by the Malawian government which has used a “test and treat” protocol since 2016 which has successfully increased the percentage of patients in Malawi maintained on suppressive HIV therapy. (1,2) Of the 164 patients tested only 4 or 2.4% tested positive.  Each of the four patients was then assigned to a community worker and brought within 48 hours into a government run clinic to be started on HIV medication.

the doctors of Malawi working with medications

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to medical care, we provided dental care.  Two years ago, a dentist with VIP raised the money to buy and bring over portable dental equipment.  At our pop-up clinic in Kalupe an American and a Malawian dentist worked together to treat 283 patients and were delighted that they could clean teeth and do fillings in addition to pulling teeth.  We also brought a large supply of amalgam so that the Malawian dentist could continue to fill teeth even after we returned home.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, Princeton internist, standing with other volunteers on the Malawi mission trip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During this trip we offered a new program to dispense glasses to patients through a partnership with Global Vision 2020. (3,4) A retired American businessman was trained in the use of a hand-held device which measures eye prescriptions and then uses a set of precut lenses which are inserted into simple empty frames.  These glasses were sold for $1 per pair and were the only thing we charged for during the trip. Prior to this program, the only glasses that were available were used glasses which were at best a gross approximation of a person’s actual prescription. The new glasses were extremely popular amongst the villagers and were considered so stylish that some people bought glasses with plain lenses as a fashion statement!  After we left, a local Malawian who worked with us took this over and will run it as a small business.

One of the best things about VIP is that the organization continues to work in the area all year round.  They have started several weekly clinics to provide year-round care staffed by medical personal whose training and salaries are paid for by VIP.  In addition, VIP is partnering with the Malawian government and the village of Khanda to build a permanent clinic in this most remote area.  This clinic will operate daily year-round to provide care to this needy area of Malawi.  VIP’s recent 10th anniversary Gala helped to raise needed funds to build this clinic.  We are all so excited to know that work can begin on this project! If you are interested in learning more about VIP, please check out their website at villagesinpartnership.org.

To learn more about the Dr. Edwards, Princeton internist, and her volunteer trips in Malawi, visit her Facebook page.

References:

  1. https://www.indexmundi.com/malawi/demographics_profile.html
  2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jia2.25239
  3. https://gv2020.org/
  4. https://villagesinpartnership.org/a-new-vision-by-timothy-golden/#

Why Employers Want to See Volunteerism on Your Resume

two people discussing a resume

Companies receive countless amounts of resumes a year and it’s easy to start to blend everyone together. One way that interviewees can stand out above the rest is through volunteer experience. Although volunteerism may not seem as important to include on a resume as employment or education, here’s some reasons why you may want to consider putting this on your resume.

Shows Desirable Personality Traits

If you are someone who thinks volunteerism is important, then chances are that you have personality traits that are valuable to a company. Personality traits such as compassion, patience, enthusiasm, and devotion show companies that you have the ingredients of a good employee.

Hard and Soft Skills

Like job experience, volunteerism can give you many hard and soft skills. Skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership are all positive attributes in the eyes of an employer and can be acquired through volunteerism.

Globalization/Culture

Volunteering allows you to interact with a wide variety of people from many different backgrounds, especially if you volunteer abroad. Volunteering abroad shows that you are open to new culture and can adapt well to different environments. These are important skills that employers like to see.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact your local humane society, food bank, or retirement home to see if they are accepting volunteers. You can also search online for local or abroad volunteer opportunities.

Dr. Barbara R Edwards, Princeton internist practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center and also serves as Medical Director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center.

Source: Her Campus