Endourology services and surgical emergencies

Overall goals

To improve quality of urological health care and education with our global partners
To embed principles of patient safety
To embed principles of improvement by establishing audit and data systems
To introduce research concepts and principles

Achieved: Successful implementation of TURPs
Successful workshop on management of surgical emergencies

Key UK Colleagues and Partners

UROLINK

International Partners

1. University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
2. Hawassa Teaching Hospital, Hawassa, Ethiopia
3. Department of Surgery, Lilongwe / Blantyre, Malawi

Sustainable development goals

• SDG 3 - Good health and well-being
• SDG 4 - Quality education
• SDG 5 - Gender equality

Funding source

UROLINK has received grants in the past from donor charities such as TUF, BJU International for projects in Zambia and Ethiopia, as well partnerships with ASGBI.
For Malawi, we will apply for funding once we have tailored the needs of the service – we are hoping this will be a multidisciplinary approach

Project origin

UROLINK was formed 25 years ago and has established strong sustainable links with partners in Africa and other parts of the world. An assessment of needs is undertaken in partnership with host centres

Evidence of need

An assessment of needs is undertaken in partnership with host centres

Project areas

Education, Service improvement (training surgeons and nurses, care of equipment, workshops etc), Audit and research

Project activities

Several visits and training workshops have already taken place in Ethiopia and Zambia.
For Malawi, we have invited a Malawian urologist currently in Sussex for fellowship to Glasgow and are hoping to visit the department this year for a needs assessment.

Changes

To develop urology services in a country where there is a dire need for this. Currently urology is being done by general surgeons with an interest in urology. We would like to support these individuals and train more. Both bladder and prostate cancer are rampant, as are other urological problems including BPH, strictures and bladder stones.

Next steps

To forge robust and sustainable links with Malawi as a department and also having a board-wide multidisciplinary approach which could include management as well as several clinical disciplines, starting with urology and nursing

Challenges

Communication is key. Partnership’s and understanding that this is a two-way street. I have learnt a huge amount of clinical and non-clinical hard and soft skills during my visits.

Mitigating challenges

Internet and technology
Care of equipment – partnering with industrial companies for provision and care of equipment
Keeping up to date
Tailoring to local needs

Partnership principles

• strategic
• harmonised
• effective
• respectful
• organised
• responsible
• flexible

Project gains

• leadership
• teamwork
• clinical
• awareness
• patient
• resilience