HopeCore welcomes volunteers: clinical training

Julie Dirksen says that Learning experiences are like journeys. The journey starts where the learning is now and ends when the learner is successful. The end of the journey isn’t knowing more; it’s doing more. MedTreks has over 30 years of bringing groups and travelers world worldwide to experience cross-cultural medicine. MedTreks have championed hands-on capacity building in global health by providing expert medical volunteering opportunities.

Even in the times of Covid-19, MedTreks continued providing virtual support and consultations to HopeCore’s health care team. One can access educational resources on global health, travel & humanitarian medicine topics from anywhere in the world through The MedTreks and Hope Core Learning Center.

With the discovery of the Covid-19 vaccine and the healthcare systems adapting to combat the virus, most restrictions in many countries have been lifted. MedTreks are planning their visit to Kenya in September 2022.

Among the to-do list during the visit will be practical training for HopeCore’s public health officers on Maternal Health and First Aid. Village HopeCore works to provide preventive healthcare to the most vulnerable populations in Tharaka Nithi County. In areas like Tharaka South, women walk 10 kilometers to access a health facility. The area has public transport; motorbikes are the only available means.; Unfortunately, some deliver along the dusty roads or at Home.

 For safe delivery, women must be trained in Maternal and Neonatal Care, which would help them navigate the pre-conception, prenatal and postnatal phases. To. Additionally, first-time mothers struggle to adapt to their new role’s expectations; they are propelled into a world of the unknown and are constantly searching for the correct information. In the process, they are hampered by conflicting and fragmented advice. Family and friends are usually the primary information sources for most new mothers, not healthcare professionals or services. This lack of access continues to neonatal health needs. The trained officers will then train Community health workers, who will then train the community.

On the other hand, First Aid training is a crucial skill to possess in an emergency, and it encourages healthy and safe living. According to the Automobile Association of Kenya, over 3,000 lives are lost on Kenyan roads, and 57 percent of fatalities occur due to mishandling of the victims by first responders.

The HopeCore team is highly excited about MedTrek’s visit, and they are. looking forward to hosting them. We can't wait to ride with the MedTreks on our dusty roads to deliver lifesaving health interventions and restore Hope to women and children in our communities.