Health Crisis: Campaign seeks to prevent needless deaths

Dorothy Ngoma, the Leader of the National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi, visited Scotland to meet with Scottish health workers and get their support for Oxfam's Health & Education For All campaign. The campaign highlights the health crisis facing countries like Malawi and the need for more health and education workers.

Ms Ngoma will meet Scottish healthcare workers and Oxfam campaigners, promote the campaign and highlight the health care emergency facing countries like Malawi where life expectancy is now 37 and thousands of nursing posts are vacant.

Commenting Ms Ngoma said: " There is a health crisis in Malawi and in many of the poorest countries around the world. The shortage of health professionals means millions of the poorest people can't access basic health care.

"This visit is a great chance to meet counterparts from the Scottish Health Service, talk with them about the difficulties we face and get their support for Oxfam's campaign to get six million more health and education workers worldwide."

Speaking before meeting Ms Ngoma, Scots nurse Anne McGinley, who is a health visitor based in the south side of Glasgow, and Branch Secretary of UNISON NHS Glasgow and Clyde, said:
" As health professionals we look forward to welcoming Dorothy Ngoma and learning about the situation in Malawi. In our jobs we know the huge difference we as individuals can make to the health of our patients. With a lack of health care such a key factor in poverty, its easy to see the difference more nurses and doctors would make in countries like Malawi."

Eilidh Whiteford, Oxfam Scotland's Campaigns Manager, added: " Its great to get the support of healthcare staff in Scotland for this campaign. We hope Dorothy Ngoma's visit will inspire many more people to get involved, whether they are health professionals or ordinary members of the public."

You can pledge your support for Oxfam's Health and Education For All campaign by taking action now.

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