19th August 2010
There was an excellent attendance at the recent August Open General Meeting, in spite of the fact that it was the middle of the holiday season. The Chairman, Sylvia Henry, welcomed everyone and gave a series of announcements about members' welfare and forthcoming events, including a Study Day in conjunction with all the U3As of North Devon, and Bude's imminent 10th Anniversary Party and AGM. Everyone was also reminded to renew their membership promptly this autumn; at only £8 per annum it is real value for money!
Sylvia then introduced the Speaker for the afternoon. Having retired from General Practice in Bude, Dr David Giles felt that he still wanted to use his expertise, so in 1995 he joined the Rotary Doctor Bank. This Scheme, run by Rotary International, provides relief doctors for hospitals overseas so that the resident doctors can enjoy and benefit from a proper break (usually two or three months).
With witty and quick-fire delivery Dr Giles then entertained his attentive audience, telling of his experiences in Uganda and Malawi. His ability to reproduce a variety of accents added colour to his stories, and a couple of well-drawn maps ensured that everyone kept up with the geography. His first posting was to a 160-bed hospital some miles outside Kampala, where he was particularly aware that with tropical diseases quick action is essential. In spite of modern medicines tens of thousands (mostly children) die every year from malaria or subsequent anaemia. Possibly partly because of this the attitude of local people to deaths of unidentified individuals is much more pragmatic and unemotional than we tend to be in the UK.
As well as medical challenges there were times when the political atmosphere impinged on his work, and in north Uganda escorts with Kalashnikovs were essential night protection against possible attacks by bandits.
Dr Giles concluded his talk with a slideshow, taking everyone on a whistlestop tour of all the locations he had mentioned. He was sincerely thanked by Iwan Davies and prolonged applause from the enthusiastic audience.
Jo
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