As many of you know we support the Village of Hope charity in India. Ali normally makes an annual trip with colleagues to support the podiatry clinic and offer treatment. This is her report from this years trip.
Having recently returned from Hope Leprosy Colony, Delhi, we thought we should send you a resume of our latest trip.
This year we were joined by Kate who is a human geography graduate interested in working in the charitable sector. Her role involved working with groups of students and mothers, giving advice and tools to help with time and financial management, organisational skills, as well as managing emotions and stress
The duration of our visit was 2 weeks and during that time we were able to achieve the following within the bandaging units:-
- Introduced new style Cliniko notes which are simpler to use. Another member of staff received training in the use of this software system.
- Continued with training the new cohort of nursing students regarding use of Doppler ultrasound to assess blood supply, how neuropathy affects the foot in Leprosy and Diabetes and the importance of good hand hygiene and general infection control.
- Distributed footwear to those in need. These were in the form of Diaped shoes we had been gifted and crocs and trainers that we were able to purchase locally.
- Alison was tasked with taking foot impressions for the Cardiff Metropolitan University team’s footwear project. These will be used to make positive casts of these patients’ feet in order to fabricate bespoke insoles and footwear for them. This is a pilot study for an exciting project which is in its infancy and may take time to come to fruition. Watch this space
- Purchased a new steriliser and extra instruments were bought with proceeds donated by a relative of Sangeeta.
- She then trained staff to use it and as a result an effective decontamination process was put in place which seemed to be working well by the time we left. In order to insure this continues more instruments will need to be purchased
- We couldn’t resist buying toys for the nursery next door . The one or two that they had were broken. Kate and Sangeeta had a ‘joyous’ experience seeing the faces of the children brighten up when they received the new toys.
- We caught up with a few patients who have received tricycles and are regular attendees at the bandaging unit. They report that the tricycles have had a very positive impact on their lives and in some cases on their wounds, of which we have photographic evidence .
Guru Dayak Mahato, who lives with and depends on his daughter and family says that has made his life a lot easier and is thankful for the support .
Paswan’s wounds are definitely improving since he has had a tricycle.
Plans and objectives for the future include:-
- Cosmetic improvements to the interior of the bandaging unit. The plaster on the walls and ceiling has blown and is thus in need of reparation and redecoration.
- Disposal of Clinical waste continues to be an issue. At present it is not disposed of appropriately or safely because this will incur more costs. However, this does need to addressed and the funding for secured for reasons of Health and safety.
- Ideally , all wooden furniture such as patient chairs, work benches and foot rests should be replaced with wipeable materials such as, Leather, pvc, plastics or stainless steel. The procurement of stainless steel trolleys/ workstations are in the pipeline thanks to a friend of Alison’s.
- A new poster board with will be put up to display laminated posters replacing the existing ones which are taped to the wall.
- There are 2 podiatrists volunteering in October this year. They will deliver more training to the nursing students and ensure the decontamination continues to operate effectively.
Finally, thank you all for your continued interested, support and donations, without which none of this would be possible.
Kindest regards to you,
Ali and Sangeeta
