Farewell Dr Laura
Following the departure of our wonderful doctor, Laura Maynard Smith, in early June, the clinic has been run by Sister Daries and new nurse, Lena, who previously worked at Rudie’s practice in Khomas. Dr Maynard Smith had a big send off and will be sorely missed by the Bushman community and all the staff at N/a’an ku sê. She did a wonderful job and her dedicated and commitment helped thousands of people during her year at the clinic.
Welcome Dr Treadgold!
We are delighted to announce that a new doctor, Ursula Treadgold will be joining the team in the next few months, along with her husband James. This is great news for the clinic and Dr Treadgold will be able to continue developing the service and its impact on the local community. Her husband James will also be coming out and will be working with the local San Bushman community and volunteers to develop a more self-sustainable way of life in the remote area where the clinic is based.
Dr Treadgold said, “We are really excited about our upcoming journey to N/a’an ku sê. Both James and I have wanted to work in Africa for about three years and we finally took the plunge to volunteer a year ago. Our first placement in Kenya did not work out, but luckily we spotted the N/a’an ku sê position through the Expedition Medicine website.
We think we are going to really enjoy ourselves as the role will be similar to my job back in the UK as a General Practitioner. But, it will also give me the chance to practise in a new environment and with the San Bushmen who are marginalised in Namibia.
James, an Engineer, is hoping that he will be able to facilitate many new schemes for the Lifeline clinic to improve sustainability. He has been asked to look at rain water harvesting, solar panels and also a vegetable garden (not that he knows much about plants at the moment!).
Namibia has always been a country that we have wished to visit and we are delighted to be coming to work in the clinic.”
Round Table bring supplies
Dr Vaja Zatjirua and 6 colleagues from the Round Table visited the clinic a couple of months ago. They kindly arranged a donation of a great supply of medicines that we would be unable to afford to buy. They also brought blankets, food and 'hospital kits' made up of a face flannel, soap, toothpaste and a toothbrush that we can give to those patients who we transport to hospital and some footballs for the kids.
Dr Maynard Smith said, “We are very grateful for the Round Table and the supplies they brought along which included about 6 months supply of medicines including lots of antibiotics, anti-worming tablets and syrup and around 200 hospital kits which we would not normally be able to supply. These will be incredibly useful over the coming months and the villagers were very happy as we went round handing blankets, food and footballs out. We are extremely grateful to the Round Table and all the companies who supported them, including Standard Bank. “
