The N/a’an ku sê Foundation is looking for two doctors or a doctor and a nurse practitioner to run the Lifeline Clinic based in Pos 3 in the remote Omaheke region of Namibia, from May 2015. This is a unique opportunity to provide primary and pre-hospital care to the San Bushman. This is a voluntary position with food, accommodation and a living allowance provided and the Foundation would like applicants to stay for at least one year.
The San are considered to be the oldest peoples in the world. For tens of thousands of years the San were
hunter gatherers and did not farm or keep livestock. With the advent of agriculture, the San have been forced from their original lands and are unable live their traditional lifestyle. As a consequence, most San people now live in extreme poverty. They are the poorest group in Namibia with a per capita income of just N$ 3,263 compared with a national average of N$ 10,358. They suffer from discrimination, political and social marginalisation, domination and exploitation. They are the unhealthiest group in Namibia and have a life expectancy of just 46 years.
The N/a’an ku sê Foundation is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the San and is looking for two doctors or a doctor and a nurse practitioner to run the Lifeline Clinic based in Pos 3 in the Omaheke region of Namibia from May 2015 for one year or longer.
You will provide primary healthcare services and pre-hospital care to the local San population from a reasonably modern, clean and well-equipped clinic. You will also, through outreach clinics, provide care to those living further afield on farms and re-settlement villages. Working with you is a UK trained respiratory consultant who, as part of a research programme, is screening for TB among the San (we estimate 10% of the San people currently have TB) and will be looking at ways of improving their compliance with treatment.
The work is rewarding but the logistics of providing a quality service can be challenging at times – after all ‘this is Africa’. Experience in general medicine, primary care, or emergency medicine is desirable. Most importantly you need to be resilient, flexible, and tolerant. Having a sense of humour definitely helps!
This role provides you with an opportunity to improve the lives of the San people and leave a legacy that remains long after you have returned home. If you would like to find out more about these posts, contact Sharon Smart by clicking THIS LINK.
The San are considered to be the oldest peoples in the world. For tens of thousands of years the San were
hunter gatherers and did not farm or keep livestock. With the advent of agriculture, the San have been forced from their original lands and are unable live their traditional lifestyle. As a consequence, most San people now live in extreme poverty. They are the poorest group in Namibia with a per capita income of just N$ 3,263 compared with a national average of N$ 10,358. They suffer from discrimination, political and social marginalisation, domination and exploitation. They are the unhealthiest group in Namibia and have a life expectancy of just 46 years.
The N/a’an ku sê Foundation is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the San and is looking for two doctors or a doctor and a nurse practitioner to run the Lifeline Clinic based in Pos 3 in the Omaheke region of Namibia from May 2015 for one year or longer.
You will provide primary healthcare services and pre-hospital care to the local San population from a reasonably modern, clean and well-equipped clinic. You will also, through outreach clinics, provide care to those living further afield on farms and re-settlement villages. Working with you is a UK trained respiratory consultant who, as part of a research programme, is screening for TB among the San (we estimate 10% of the San people currently have TB) and will be looking at ways of improving their compliance with treatment.
The work is rewarding but the logistics of providing a quality service can be challenging at times – after all ‘this is Africa’. Experience in general medicine, primary care, or emergency medicine is desirable. Most importantly you need to be resilient, flexible, and tolerant. Having a sense of humour definitely helps!
This role provides you with an opportunity to improve the lives of the San people and leave a legacy that remains long after you have returned home. If you would like to find out more about these posts, contact Sharon Smart by clicking THIS LINK.
