Trauma / orthopaedics training: Africa

Two orthopaedic surgeons from the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre have been awarded a UKAid Health Partnership Scheme grant to lead a three-year (2012-2015) trauma and orthopaedics training and research programme in East, Central and Southern Africa.

Professor Chris Lavy OBE and Mr Hemant Pandit are co-directing a multi-country global health partnership programme to improve services for many acutely injured patients and children affected by musculoskeletal impairment.

COSECSA Oxford Orthopaedic Link (COOL)

COOL is a partnership between Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS) and the College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA), and builds on regional orthopaedic training that surgeons from the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre have successfully led in partnership with COSECSA  in previous years.

Based at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust), NDORMS is an academic department of the University of Oxford within the Medical Sciences Division, and a rapidly growing community of orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists and scientists all working in the field of musculoskeletal disorders. COSECSA fosters postgraduate education in surgery and provides surgical training throughout Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Improving global health outcomes

The partnership project is funded through the Health Partnership Scheme, which is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) for the benefit of the UK and partner country health sectors and managed by the Tropical Health Education Trust (THET). The Scheme works towards Millennium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6 to reduce child mortality, improve maternal health and combat HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

Specific aims of the COSECSA Oxford Orthopaedic Link are:

• Increased survival rates from serious injuries and road traffic incidents
• Prevention of disability associated with untreated or poorly treated traumatic injuries
• Improved treatment for children affected by musculoskeletal impairment, such as club foot, angular limb deformity and infections of bones and joints

through a combination of research and training activities that include:

• Research into trauma and musculoskeletal impairment treatment needs in East, Central and Southern Africa and support for improved service provision
• Primary Trauma Care training for healthcare workers of all levels, in partnership with Primary Trauma Care Foundation (PTCF)
• Orthopaedic surgical training courses
• Clinical fellowships in paediatric orthopaedics.

Sharing UK health professionals' knowledge and expertise

Health professionals from OUH and other UK health institutions will have the opportunity to volunteer overseas through the programme and play a crucial role in sharing skills and best practice in trauma and orthopaedic surgical training, and gain a richer understanding of their profession. 

NDORMS and Primary Trauma Care Foundation held an initial briefing for those interested in volunteering on the trauma courses on 22 September 2012 at The Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, and another briefing will be held early 2013. Please contact admin@primarytraumacare.org for further information.

For more information about COOL, including volunteering opportunities, please contact:

Grace Le: cool@ndorms.ox.ac.uk / 01865 737543

www.ndorms.ox.ac.uk/cool.php