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International Health Link Funding Scheme in Kambia


Early in 2010, The Kambia Appeal and Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust won an International Health Link Funding Scheme (IHLFS) grant to provide medical training to health staff in Kambia to help improve maternal health.

IHLFS is a three year scheme that supports Health Links between health institutions in developing countries and the UK. Funded by the UK Department for International Development and the Department of Health, it is jointly managed by The Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) and the British Council. The scheme aims to strengthen the capacity of health services in developing countries.

The training is provided by health staff from Gloucestershire during a series of 10-day visits to Kambia over three years.

Our programme is designed to provide:
15 Community Health Officers with training in emergency obstetric care, vacuum extraction and basic surgical skills
57 Maternal and Child Health Aides with annual training in basic maternal health care and adult and neonatal resuscitation
40 Voluntary Nursing Aides with annual training in basic nursing and adult resuscitation
10 Hospital staff with training in Ultra Sound Scanner skills
8 Hospital staff with annual training in operating theatre skills and management
2 Anaesthetic nurses with annual skills updates and training
Basic medical equipment, including vacuum extraction and delivery kits, surgical sets and training models

The IHLFS grant covers airfares, travel visas, inoculations and accommodation for UK medics travelling to Kambia, as well as all training materials, travel and subsistence for Kambia trainees.

Since 2010 four training visits have taken place, organised by David Holmes.  The next trip will be in March 2012.  If you would like to take part in the final two IHLFS visits in November 2012 and January 2013, please contact David Holmes on 08454 222337.

Watch Mark Whyman’s film from the first training visit in February 2010

Read our IHLFS Base Line Report 2010