Still time to donate books, equipment to Zambian medical school

Susan Swindells, M.B.B.S., has collected hundreds of used medical and dental textbooks and several pieces of equipment to send to a new medical school in the African nation of Zambia but she says the new school still could use more.

Hundreds of used medical and dental text books take up about half of a clinic room at the UNMC Specialty Care Clinic.

If it’s up to Susan Swindells, M.B.B.S., professor of internal medicine in the section of infectious diseases and medical director of the clinic, the room will be entirely full by July 1.

That’s when Dr. Swindells will stop collecting books and equipment such as microscopes and stethoscopes to send to a new medical school in northern Zambia.

Collection information Books can either be dropped off at the Specialty Care Clinic at 804 S. 52nd St., (just south of 52nd and Leavenworth), or sent via campus courier to ZIP code 8106. Supplies such as microscopes, stethoscopes and other equipment cannot be sent via campus courier. Dr. Swindells suggests people contact either her or Deanna Hansen at 559-5392 or sswindells@unmc.edu or dmhansen@unmc.edu, to arrange a drop-off or delivery for such equipment. Textbooks and equipment will be collected until July 1.

“The outpouring of material from the campus has been impressive,” Dr. Swindells said. “Starting this school is a massive undertaking but it also is badly needed in this area. The more we can send them to help them get started, the better.”

According to a 2006 report, Zambia had less than 650 doctors to care for its 12 million people. In contrast, hundreds of physicians can be found at UNMC alone.

There also currently is no dental school in Zambia, which creates a particularly pressing need for dental textbooks and supplies, Dr. Swindells said.

The new school — which is in Ndola — is set to open in April of 2011. Forty medical students and 10 dental students will compose the first class.

Officials from the school visited UNMC in May to learn more about methods for health care education.