Horizons
The vision is to develop a broad network of clinical teams and university based academic teams that will allow the Aberdeen Academic Urology Unit and other research groups in the University of Aberdeen to establish strong research collaborations to improve global health. Through the establishments of these global networks and the identification of key projects the aim will be to ensure that research carried out will be of international standard whilst at the same time benefiting the most vulnerable communities within society and specifically in low income countries such as The Gambia. One example of this is the Horizons project
The driving force behind Horizons is Professor James N’Dow, leading a team of international business and healthcare professionals. Born in the Gambia, James trained in Aberdeen UK where he is now Professor of Urological Surgery and Director of the Academic Urology Unit. James has travelled to the Gambia every year for almost the past two decades, with other UK-trained specialist consultant surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses, to carry out charitable work at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital.
The Horizons model is a departure from long-term charity funding as the mainstay of healthcare development in sub-Saharan Africa. The project is underpinned by a principle of entrepreneurial philanthropy bringing together four key investment partnerships - the international commercial sector, the local business community, the philanthropic world and committed implementation collaborators - to deliver financially self-sustainable high-quality healthcare provision in low income country settings.
To ensure Horizon’s sustainability and that The Gambia can enjoy the kind of medical care we take for granted, ongoing financial contributions are urgently required for ongoing operational costs, for those in the poorest areas who cannot be treated or incur complications during treatment and for those who require specialised care.
Aims
Horizons has a twofold vision for The Gambia.
- To provide quality healthcare for those who desperately need it but who have no financial means (Horizons Charities). Horizons has already started doing charitable work in The Gambia focussing on improving healthcare for pregnant women and children less than two-years old by: providing training to health professionals; and thorough-cleaning childbirth facilities. In time, Horizons Trust Gambia will increase access to high quality care through community outreach centres.
- To build and manage a high quality medical facility for those who can afford private treatment (the Horizons Clinic). This is an unmet need in the Gambia and other West African countries. Profits from the Clinic will be used by Horizons Trust Gambia to provide high quality care to the poor. Wealth redistribution through healthcare.
Horizons’ high standard operating theatres will repair vesicovaginal fistulae and help reverse social isolation of the women.
To find out more about HORIZONS visit Horizons Trust UK
Understanding Individual Needs Across
the Patient Pathway.
Despite advances in the diagnosis, treatment and delivery of supportive care for cancer over the past decade, there is still work needed to improve the routes to diagnosis and to ensure that, once individuals have engaged with healthcare professionals that this translates in to appropriate evidence-based care being delivered to those living with and beyond cancer. We have to fully understand individual needs for information, treatment and support at the appropriate point in their journey and better understand health care professionals’ behaviour within the healthcare systems that they work in.
The Community of Expertise online platform will allow contemporary evidence to be shared amongst key stakeholders, facilitate the development of a repository of this evidence and examples of best practice, stimulate discussion, and support action within this area.
For more information visit https://icantreat.org/