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The latest (June 2023) Urolink newsletter can be accessed by clicking here.

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Feb 2017   |    Dec 2019   |    Oct 2020   |   May 2021

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Social Media

Click on the Twitter logo (left) to view the Urolink Twitter feed. You are advised to read the GMC guidance and advice from the BMA before you engage with Twitter or any other online social media platforms such as Bebo, Facebook, Flickr, Google+, Instagram, Linkedin, Pinterest & Snapchat

Publications Archive

Publications authored by Urolink members

Urolink: 20 years on

In 2022, 20 years after the publication of a special Urolink supplement, the BJUI agreed to publish two editorials and 12 papers about Urolink's activity in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA). Twenty UK or US-based contributors, with 15 from LMICs in sSA, contributed to this series.

The initial phase covered defining the need for help and the provision of sustainable resources in an ethically appropriate way. Four articles covered how to teach virtually in the LMIC environment during the Covid pandemic, the use of simulation training, disseminatation of knowledge and the feasibility of teaching endoscopic surgery. The next four articles dealt with defined urological issues; urethral stricture disease, paediatric urology, stone disease and female urinary incontinence, all of which continue to be major issues in LMICs.

Finally, the series touched on differences in regulation between HICs and LMICs and emphasised the important role the Surgical Colleges have in helping with education and maintenance of standards of care. All of the articles in the virtual supplement are available here .

Other topics found in publications by Urolink members are listed below, categorised by subject heading. Each heading opens a listing page that contains clickable links to the source texts:

 

Publications by other authors

The main topics found in publications from other sources are listed below. Click the topic to view a list of articles on that subject, with clickable links to the source text:

 

Podcasts, Webinars, Meetings & Conferences

Podcasts

Urolink and me. Setting up the HIPZ charity (April 2023)  Listen to Nick Campain interviewing Ru MacDonagh (Consultant Urologist in Taunton and a past Urolink chair) about how he became involved with Urolink, his first experiences of working in Africa, and how this developed into a career-long association with the continent. Ru explains how his association with Mohamed Jidawi in Zanzibar led to the setting up the Health Improvement Zanzibar (HIPZ) charity in 2006, and how this was the impetus to becoming a leader in Zanzibarian healthcare across many more specialties than just urology.

Urolink - Interview with Christine Evans (November 2022) 
Listen to Jaimin Bhatt as he finds out a little more about what inspired Christine Evans (retired Consultant Urologist from Rhyl and a past Urolink chair), how she was pivotal in the setting up of COSECSA, and its examination structure, and how she has supported the work of Urolink around the globe. The irrepressible Christine, a multi-faceted 'first female' in so many spheres as she shares her amazing experiences of working in Africa and Iraq over more than two decades.

The History of Urolink (March 2021)
Listen to a conversation between Steve Payne and Neville Harrison (retired consultant urologist from Brighton and Urolink's first chair) about his initial experiences working in Africa in the 1970s, his role in the development of an organisation that morphed into Urolink and his relationship with Lester Eschelman that initiated the development of the first durable link between BAUS and KCMC. This podcast is a fascinating insight into the evolution of Urolink from an embryonic concept to the organisation we know today.

Fellowship Training in the UK - a Malawian Perspective (October 2020)
Listen to a conversation between Steve Payne and Charles Mabedi (Consultant Urologist in Lilongwe, Malawi) after he spent time training in the UK with Suzie Venn in Worthing. This podcast is a great opportunity to learn about the advantages and difficulties encountered by urologists coming from LMICs to the UK for further specialist surgical training.

BAUS President's Urolink Podcast (August 2020)
Listen to Tim O'Brien (BAUS President 2020 - 22) talking to Suzie Venn, Nick Campain and Charles Mabedi about Urolink's activities in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

Videos and Webinars

 

Urolink trainee webinars (since November 2020) can be accessed from the Webinar Archive tab on the Learning Resources page. Links to webinars hosted on other sites are the only ones displayed here.

Watch this fascinating lecture (June 2023) entitled 'Global Surgeons as advocates and social change agents', given by John Meara, Professor of Global Surgery, and Chief of Plastic Surgery from Harvard Medical School, in Boston, at the BAUS ASM in Birmingham. John was editor-in-chief of the Lancet Commission on global surgery which published its report Global Surgery 2030: evidence and solutions for achieving health, welfare, and economic development, in 2015. Professor Meara's lecture is inspirational, encouraging anyone who has an interest in global urology to see just what can be achieved by becoming involved with organisations like Urolink.

Watch a video (October 2022) made by Clinical Scientists Michael Jeffryes and Eskinder Soloman  from Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust where they describe a low cost urodynamic system that they have developed - at a cost of <$100! This excludes the necessary computer interface and the cost of shipping. There is  a component list in the video, on the equipment page in their Urodynamics Without Borders website as well as here for anyone enterprising enough to self-build a system. The software, and instructions how to download it are available here. This is a really exciting project which will definitely be of benefit to centres partnering with Urolink. 

THET and HEE undertook a webinar series called "Going global (Sep & Oct 2021)". This series offered an unparalleled opportunity to learn from, and engage with, experienced colleagues in the field through a mixture of workshops, presentations and interactive sessions. The series was designed for NHS staff and final year medical and pharmacy students. From exploring the different opportunities available, to understanding how you can capture the learning you gain whilst volunteering overseas or virtually, the videos in the series are a fantastic place to find out more about getting involved in global health.

 

BAUS/Urolink Meetings

BAUS Annual Scientific Meeting 2023 

Introduction. 
Mr Shekhar Biyani, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and Mr. Mike Ng, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

The landscape of prostate cancer diagnostics in Zambia. LA TP prostate biopsy in Africa - initial experience. 
Mr Nish Bedi, consultant urological surgeon, Frimley Healthcare NHS Trust UK.

Surgical skills acquisition in high and LMICs - is there any difference? 
Ms Lesley Hunt, consultant colorectal surgeon, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield UK.

Surgeons are nothing without equipment - the essential need for engineering in global surgery. 
Prof Peter Culmer, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds UK.

BAUS Annual Scientific Meeting 2022  

Introduction
Mr Nick Campain, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and Ms Vanessa Savopoulos, Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia

A memorial for Phil Thomas, a Urolink treasure
Suzie Venn

A World of Difference: Providing universal health coverage in rural Uganda in the face of Covid 
Dr Ian Spillman, Medical Superintendent, Church of Uganda Kisiizi Hospital.

My Stay in Tanzania; What I learnt during my fellowship at KCMC
Mr Tilaneh Leyeh, Consultant General and Urological Surgeon, Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Ethiopia. 

Donating equipment. How can MediGive and Urolink work together? 
Mr Graham Watson, Trustee, MediTech Trust and Urolink Executive member, Eastbourne District General Hospital.

BAUS Annual Scientific Meeting 2021 

Introduction (starts at 2:28 into the video)
Jaimin Bhatt, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow and Matt Trail, Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy

Update from Our Sites – Zambia, Hawassa, KCMC Tanzania, Malawi and Uganda
Steve Payne, Manchester

Remote Mentoring
Graham Watson, Eastbourne District General Hospital

Bidirectional learning - a Zambia/U.K. collaboration
Nick Campain, Royal Free Hospital, London, Mike NG, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Nkomba Chamileke and Victor Mapulanga, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia

Plans for the Next Year
Jaimin Bhatt, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow

BAUS Annual Scientific Meeting 2019

Introduction.
Suzie Venn, St Richard's Hospital, Chichester & Phil Thomas, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton

Reflections
Ru MacDonagh, Taunton & Somerset Hospital

OOPE with Urolink
Dominic Teichmann, Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Wales

BAUS Annual Scientific Meeting 2018

Introduction
Suzie Venn, St Richard’s Hospital & Mr Paul Anderson, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley

Urolink Update
Suzie Venn, St Richard’s Hospital & Mr Paul Anderson, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley

Urological Training in Africa
Charles Mabedi, Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi

Training LMIC Urologists in the UK
Abubacarr Jah, Sharab Medical Centre, Serrekunda, The Gambia

BAUS Annual Scientific Meeting 2017

Introduction
Suzie Venn, St Richard’s Hospital & Graham Watson, Eastbourne District Hospital

Endourology in the developing world: challenges & opportunities
Srinath Chandrasekera, University of Sri Jayawardanapura, Sri Lanka
TURP camps at Kisiizi Hospital, Uganda - better than the day job
Adam Jones, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading

BAUS Annual Scientific Meeting 2016

Introduction 
Phil Thomas, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton

Lancet commission on global surgery
Philip Thomas, Royal Sussex County Hospital Brighton
Observations from Urolink visit to Ethiopia
Zeeshan Aslam, Morriston Hospital Swansea
Thoughts on KCMC visit
Chris Parker, Yeovil District Hospital
MSE course - teaching the management of urological emergencies
Nick Campain, Torbay District Hospital
Urethroplasty workshop, Lusaka
Paul Anderson, Russells Hall Hospital Birmingham
 

Conferences

Below are conferences that Urolink members have taken part in, or have presented at. Links to content that you may find interesting are provided. Click on the text links or the images to access these.

THET Annual Conference - October 2021

Mike Ng, from Exeter UK, and Nkombo Chamileke, from UTH Lusaka, present their paper, "Bi-directional benefits associated with a urology-themed webinar programme during the Covid-19 pandemic: experiences from a UK-Zambia health partnership" (from 53.30 to 1.09.00) at the THET Annual Conference in October 2021.

During the breakout session "Solidarity during Covid-19" they describe their experience with virtual learning during the pandemic, and how a sustainable learning resource has been generated through the co-operation between the UK and Zambian urological trainees during 2020/21.

Global Surgical Frontiers Conference - April 2017

The theme for the 2017 conference was Surgery in Children and Young People.
All surgical specialties deal with children's surgical conditions, and most low and middle income countries (LMICs) have a demographic breakdown where nearly half of their population are under 16. 
The aim of the GSF Conference, held on 21 & 22 April 2017, was three fold:
  1. to inform about global needs in surgery;
  2. to provide information about how UK surgeons can be involved with surgical work, training and research in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs); and
  3. to allow networking for surgeons, trainees and medical students interested in global surgery.

Conference programme  |  Video record of Day 1  |  Video record of Day 2

 

COSECSA / RCSI Collaboration on the Management of Surgical Emergencies

    The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and the College of Surgeons of        East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) established a Collaboration                Programme in 2007. This programme was finally implemented in 2008.

    Its aim is to increase the provision of quality, essential surgical and emergency      care in the COSECSA region, particularly at district level (i.e. the management          of surgical emergencies, MSE).

The programme is supported by Irish Aid (the Government of Ireland's Development Agency) and RCSI which provides for staff and resources including curricula, education tools, skills training, examination, accreditation and quality assurance processes.

Additional information about the  RCSI/COSECSA collaboration programme can be found on their joint Twitter account.

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