FOM donates anaesthetic machine to RRGH

Many initiatives and friendships have developed as a result of the work of CMCPT.

'Friends of Mufulira' (Charity no. 1176062) came about following the links that were established between The Minor Metals Trade Association (MMTA) and the Mufulira community in 2008. Since then much fruitful linking and co-operation between CMCPT, MMTA and Mufulira has taken place.

Two trustees, Anthony Lipmann and Laura Tilling, are common to both charities.

Dr Matabile training anaesthetists on the new anaesthetic machine at RRGH

FOM has provided a bursary for medics from Liverpool University to take their elective at Ronald Ross General Hospital from 2016.

Dr Beth Wardle was one such elective in 2018 and an example of how the Mufulira experience has supported her on the NHS Covid frontline this year. She writes: 'I'm currently working in A&E in Sheffield and missing Mufulira more and more by the day. It has really set me up well for A&E as nothing can scare me anymore and I feel very fortunate'.

Delivery and training on this machine cost £22k, and the decision to purchase was precipitated by cancellation of electives in 2020 due to Covid and the previous intelligence conveyed directly from the hospital via the electives.

The special feature of the UAM manufactured by OES-Medical, Witney, Oxon, is that it operates by removing nitrogen from the atmosphere, thus obviating dependency on deliveries of cylinders of oxygen. It also comes with a seven and a half hour back-up battery pack so that operations may continue uninterrupted during electricity outtages.

FOM is currently investigating the possibility of setting up a small ICU unit. Once again Steve Curtis' experience of sending medical equipment to Mufulira paved the way and Dr Robin Gleek (Trustee of FOM) identified a machine that was fit for purpose.