A new board member

My name is Leo Scander,a medical doctor at QECH (Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital) in Blanytre, Malawi. I graduated from KUHES (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences)formerly known as College of Medicine with a Bachelors degree in Medicine and  Surgery (MBBS,Mw) in 2021. I started working with the Ministry of Health as an Intern Medical Officer(IMO) early 2021,as of now I have clocked ten months of my internship. Prior I have also worked with Partners in Health (PIH) as a Medical Intern in Mental Health related issues at Neno District Hospital,currently as my part time job am working with Kamuzu University of Health Sciences as Anatomy Instructor in Basic Medical Science that is MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery).

Being a Junior doctor I have to rotate in all designated departments which include; AETC( Accident and Emergency Trauma Centre),Internal Medicine,Pediatric,Surgery and Obstetric and Gynecology. And it is very challenging since we see many patients each and everyday with different kind of diseases.

Working in a low resource setting its one of the challenges we have to face everyday,talk of unavailability of essential drugs,not enough diagnostic equipment,human resource etc. Besides all this,you have use the resources available to diagnose and treat all kind of diseases.

I joined medical field with the aim of being part of motivated health workers who are always inspired to bring change to their communities in Malawi.

Another motivation came from my grandmother. She has always believed in me and offered relentless support up to now. I always thank the Lord Almighty because of her support. She has always stressed that she will be a happy person seeing me helping my community and my country at large in all matters of health.

How did I join For Change?

I have always grown interest in Kids,and rotating in Pediatric department has boosted my interest.

My workmate introduced me to this charitable organization early 2021,where my first encounter I volunteered for health checks for the kids from Kwanjana community.  I was excited and thrilled looking at what the  organization is doing by enriching the lives of children of Kwanjana community. When the opportunity of being one of the board members came I dint hesitate but showed interest and fortunate enough I was selected.

In all health check up we have been assessing the health status of the kids and health education to the guardians on common illnesses, on how they present and also the significance of presenting early to the hospital when their child is sick. We have managed to identify very sick children who needed emergency care during these health checks and referred them to a health facility for further management.

I have enjoyed every health check program organized by a hardworking team of For Change and it has been very helpful.

I have worked with a Lighted Path Malawi as a secretary and a videographer, a Charitable organization based in Blanytre  but outreaching Blanytre rural, for example Mfura village in Chileka and also Urban area like Ndirande township, in 2013/2014. I helped out in making documentaries which sources funds for borehole construction and Day care school, food and clothes. https://www.alightedpath.org/

As a board member, I will make sure that I help the kids of Kwanjana and the surrounding communities to safe guard their health by continuing with health checks, health education to both the children and their parents and empowering the community at large in matters of health.