Doctor 2 Doctor: Caring For The Carers

KLM Health Services, the VU Medical Centre (VUmc) and KLM joined forces in 2006 within the scope of the Doctor 2 Doctor project. The project aims to promote the transfer of knowledge between two university hospitals in the Netherlands and Kenya. In practice, it’s mainly a question of transferring knowledge from VUmc to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. The hospital, located in northern Kenya is the biggest in the region, inhabited by around 12 million people.

Walking around the hospital is quite an experience. You can see clearly that the original building soon turned out to be too small and that all kinds of extensions have been added over the years. The single-level buildings are connected by covered walkways leading to the different wards. Sometimes the walkways are quite steep. There are also a number of multi-storey buildings housing bigger, separate wards including the Mother and Baby Hospital and the newly opened Children’s Hospital.

Doctor 2 Doctor

I visited with Maaike Koning, a colleague and occupational health expert to present our plans for cooperation between the hospital in Eldoret and KLM Health Services within the context of the Doctor 2 Doctor project. Luckily, we’d been here before and knew our way around. During our last visit we spoke to lots of people about how we could possibly join forces to improve working conditions at the hospital.

Successes

VUmc has achieved enormous successes in recent years. Doctors and nurses fly to Eldoret to teach their African colleagues about dialysis and transplants, and important successes have been achieved in the survival of young cancer patients through intervention on the part of researchers and carers from VUmc. In 2011 and 2012 KLM flew incubators and dialysis equipment to Eldoret, which were taken into use at the hospital ceremoniously. This project was certainly a great success.

Doctor 2 Doctor

During the early stages of the project, KLM Health Services made its international network of doctors available and ensured that all of the doctors left for Africa well-prepared after receiving the required vaccinations. Following this, KLM Health Services played more of a role in the background. Most staff members from VUmc and Doctor 2 Doctor travelling to Kenya have since been vaccinated at one of the Travel Clinics of KLM Health Services and KLM Health Services’ network of doctors in Africa is no longer needed to establish and maintain contacts.

New form of cooperation

KLM Health Services’ expertise extends far beyond providing vaccinations and medical care abroad. The idea of improving working conditions for staff at the hospital was put forward last year. The initial response was one of scepticism because the hospital was not thought to be ready for this. But once contact was established with the hospital, it soon appeared there was a need for cooperation in the area of preventing staff illness.

During our visit in February we got the impression that back problems amongst nursing staff presented the biggest concern. We put forward a plan to raise awareness amongst nursing staff of the risks associated with back complaints by continually monitoring people on the shop floor. It was pretty exciting because we didn’t know whether or not the nurses, physiotherapists, trainers and managers involved would agree to our proposal. Luckily, our presentation met with an especially enthusiastic response and everybody was keen to cooperate.

Doctor 2 Doctor

It was fantastic to see how the nurses responded when they heard we weren’t just another group of Americans or Danes visiting to launch a project for patients. On the contrary, we were hoping to improve their working conditions! The project ties in well with the philosophy of the Doctor 2 Doctor project, characterised by a demand-driven approach hinging on knowledge exchange.

Different settings

Observing the different wards, we saw the conditions under which staff work so that we could better align the training programme to meet their needs in practice. The beds all have different heights because they’ve been donated by charities around the globe. What’s more, the glaring lack of capacity often results in bed sharing. The space between the beds is minimal, staffing levels are low and there are just so many patients. When the nurses get a chance to take a break, they relax on plastic garden furniture and worn out seats without backrests.

Doctor 2 Doctor

Although we’d like to address all these issues today, we realise this isn’t feasible. For the time-being, let’s start with training the trainers, in the same vein as VUmc once started, teaching the teachers!

Read more about the Doctor 2 Doctor project.

Posted by:   Noud Schel  | 
Join the conversation Show comments

shamimuddin khan

Once in 1992 I was admitted in VUmc for my right eye surgery.At that time I was working for KLM Karachi.Pakistan as Ground Engineer.It reminds me lot of good old memories specially regarding the Surgeon who operated me.

Noud Schel

It is nice to hear that you have good memories about VUmc, Shamimuddin!

Joseph B. Cassidy, III

I’m impressed by the success that has taken place, thus far. I can tell that this will be an on-going project, and know it will take time to get everything in place, but I can tell that this project is well though out, and will improve the lives, and well being of all those involved.
This is the kind of story that I can really get into, and look forward to continuing updates on the progress of this project.
Kudos to all at KLM Health Services.

Noud Schel

Thank you for your kind words, Joseph. Yes we try to make the project lasting, and it will certainly take time. We will keep you posted!

Tita

I can not believe this kind of work exist in the airline companies. First I hear. Congratulations and keep up the good works. I am a registered nurse and it is so important that someone acknowledge that we too ( I mean all supporting staff), needs help and support. If we have support, we give even better care. I salute the KLM health services…

Noud Schel

It is so nice to get such positive feedback from a nurse, thank you Tita!

Phil Pelch

Taking care of the caretakers.a wonderful contribution

Nilam

I am so impressed reading about care to caregivers. This is such an important part of the well being of other care givers. Thank you KLM you make me proud. I always travel KLM oon my way to Kenya about once Year. All the best!

Noud Schel

Thank you Nilam, glad you like it!

Jan Olav Eriksen

I will use KLM every time when I travle. It is the best Airlines and the best crew existing.

Anneke kroon

I now that KLM is the best Air Line in the World,but now when I read all that you do ,this is fantastic Iam so proud to be DUCTH Canadian ,that KLM help those that needed the most.God Bless,ps I only fly KLM.

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