Monday 23rd September 2019

Our journey was very long and exhausting but the hotel was fantastic! The staff have been wonderful and welcoming. Lira and the towns we passed through on the way all look so bright, bustling and vibrant we can’t wait to explore some more when we get a chance.

The countryside is lush and green and very beautiful, with lots of animals on the sides of the roads. Its such an experience just travelling around the local area seeing the different types of houses from grand building to mud houses, transport methods and stalls on the sides of the roads.

We have been to Lira university and hospital today and met the head of nursing and midwifery, Joy and Anna a fourth year lecturer. We had a fascinating insight into how the hospital functions and met some lovely patients on several of the wards.

It sounds like lots of progress has happened in terms of patient numbers encompassing lots of specialities including surgery, medicine, paediatrics and obs and gynae. Staffing sounds like a bit of an issue with increasing patient numbers exceeding faster than recruitment! It sounds like everyone works so hard and are passionate about providing a high standard of care.

This afternoon Emily and I stepped out of our comfort zone by helping teach in small groups neonatal resus, I think we did ok under the supervision of Antoinette!

The students were so lovely and eager to learn and make use of the skills lab and I’m sure we also learnt a lot!

Tonight we are sorting through our timetables and preparing for tomorrow’s teaching.

We will keep you all posted on our experiences especially as the new guys!

Emily and Sarah