Blog posts about Health

Reflecting on my volunteer placement in Ethiopia

Stephanie Galvin talks through her volunteer experience in Jinka Hospital, Ethiopia where she shared her skills with staff in the paediatrics department.

The strength of a mother

Dr Aisling Walsh from Limerick volunteered with VSO Ireland in Gulu, Uganda, where the neonatal mortality rate is ten times higher than in Ireland. While on placement, Aisling shared her skills with local midwives and nurses to save babies' lives.

Every baby deserves a chance to live

Dr Siobhán Neville talks about the challenges and rewards of volunteering on a maternal and neonatal health programme in Lindi, Tanzania, and why she urges other health professionals to do the same.

I’m ready to be a mother now

Susan Ayam beams over her beautiful baby girl Fortunate, who is just two months old. It’s a grateful smile because Fortunate has truly earned her name. When she was only six months pregnant, Susan’s baby literally ‘fell out’.

New mums share joy from the labour ward

VSO volunteers are working in the Lira regional referral hospitals in Uganda to improve services and ensure newborns and their mothers get the best possible care. In the antenatal ward, three women share their experiences.

Five minutes with...Dr Michael O’Donovan, Consultant Physician, Tanzania

Michael O’Donovan is a consultant physician volunteering with VSO in the department of internal medicine at a busy hospital in the south central region of Tanzania.

Is volunteering the key to tackling health inequality?

Health worker shortages mean people in many countries where VSO works can't access quality care when they need it. Here, people with specialist health skills can make a huge impact. VSO volunteers from across the world are sharing skills and saving lives, helping tackle health inequality.

Call the midwife: Six inspiring health workers saving young lives

This International Day of Midwives (5 May), we’re celebrating the midwives working to make childbirth safer and saving lives around the world.

Community Health Officer Andrew with Dr Padma

Going above and beyond to save lives

Andrew Sesay is a Community Health Officer at Binkolo clinic, Sierra Leone. He’s often the first point of call for the thousands of people living in the community.

Mbalu Kamara, with her son Andrew, named after Andrew Sesay

Mother Mbalu names baby boy after dedicated Community Health Officer

Mbalu Kamara, was so pleased with the care she received from Community Health Officer Andrew Sesay, she named her baby boy after him.

Search form