UK Lockdown 3

The pandemic may have paused our normal activities, but the Global Rehabilitation team continue work to support our partners in Madagascar and plan for the next phase. We’re meeting regularly by video conference and the team has recently grown. Alongside colleagues in the AMPR (Madagascar) we’re actively planning the next diploma in Rehabilitation Medicine to train up rehab specialists across the country. More immediately, we’re trying to solve the problem of internet access which many of our Malagasy colleagues face, to improve their ability to continue learning, sharing and networking during the pandemic and beyond. We’re supporting access to regional and international meetings and other learning opportunities.

Our team is strengthened by the addition Martin Schweiger as a new Trustee. Martin adds: “I was pleased to be invited to become a Trustee of Global Rehabilitation towards the end of 2020. My professional background is in public health and Communicable Disease Control. I spent 6 years working in Bangladesh in the 1970s and have retained an active interest in seeking to provide health care in economically deprived parts of the world. The challenges ahead for Global Rehabilitation are fascinating and I hope to support the other Trustees to meet those challenges.”

Simone is continuing to use remote methods for international development work during the pandemic and has just finished coordinating the final evaluation of a large school feeding project in Mozambique using video conferencing, mobile surveys and other tools. The dependence on these remote methods underlines the importance of ensuring our Malagasy partners have adequate internet connections in order to work, pursue professional development and communicate with one another and with international partners during this challenging time.  

Anne has been reviewing the archives with Sonia (in Madagascar) and the link with Rotary, which supported much Prosthetic and Orthotics training. She saw the support given by the Thackray Trust for the building of Bodo’s enhanced department and the support of Leeds Teaching Hospitals for three training programmes. Of these, the rehabilitation programme was very successful and what was achieved with Sonia for the first cohort of doctors who got the University Diploma was immense.

Here in Yorkshire both Ram and Steve have been developing Covid Rehab services on top of their usual clinical duties. Many people in the UK are experiencing severe long lasting impacts after Covid infection and rehabilitation is needed to help tackle symptoms and resume normal activities and roles. It's a busy and turbulent time for rehabilitation, both in the UK and Madagascar.