South African doctors explore green pastures
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South African doctors explore green pastures
Having medical professionals on sites in remote areas are extremely important.
By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and editor of the WhyAfrica magazine.
As more exploration companies move into remote areas of Africa, it is becoming increasingly important to have trained medical professionals on site.
Gone are the days when an exploration company could send a few geologists with backpacks and Level 1 First Aid Certificates into remote parts of Africa without medical back-up.
Moreover, operating responsibly in Africa requires companies to do their part in improving the lives of local communities. Exploration and mining projects, if done mindfully, can leave a significant impact on these communities.
Risks in remote regions of Africa, where proper medical facilities can be days away, are arguably higher than anywhere else in the world.
Snake bites can be fatal
According to Dr. Dale Smith, who heads up RES Healthcare, something like a serious snake bite, for example, can easily result in a fatality.
“A snake bite is just one of the many risk’s exploration geologists, technicians and the communities in surrounding areas have to deal with on a daily basis,” Smith tells WhyAfrica in an exclusive article published in the April issue of the WhyAfrica magazine.
“Preventing these incidents from happening through training and education, as well as equipping your site with doctors and advanced life support equipment is what companies should really focus on,” says Smith.
Needs in local communities overwhelming
Smith worked on extremely remote project sites in Angola recently where “the needs amongst local communities are almost overwhelming,” he says. “Although there are usually local clinics, they have barely any medical supplies or staff.”
The key to remote site safety is to proactively manage the risks, upskill staff, create awareness and address primary healthcare needs.
New opportunities for South African doctors
The establishment of RES Healthcare comes at a time when there is a massive shortage of opportunities for doctors in South Africa.
In the last 12 months RES Healthcare has employed five adventurous doctors who have also added new skills to their extensive medical training.
“When you’re out there in the bush you must drive 4 x 4 vehicles, cook for the group, and even assist with day-to-day activities like collecting soil samples and set up camp. There’s a whole new world out there, and at the same time there are doctors in South Africa without jobs,” says Smith.
Image: Training and awareness of what to do in case of an emergency is important for geologists and technicians working on remote sites in Africa. Image credit: RES Health/Carli Smith
To read this fascinating article, visit the WhyAfrica website and click on the April magazine on our homepage to access the flip through digital version Page 41).
South African doctors explore green pastures