Ever scared of the acute abdomen?  Find large hernias difficult? Want to be happy doing emergency sigmoid colectomies on your own? Want more general surgical paediatric experience? Well come to St Francis’ hospital in Zambia.  They are desperate for surgeons.  Currently the only surgeon is a UK GP (65 year old) who last practiced surgery in the 80’s.

I worked there for a year 2005-2006 and it has surgically set me up for life (as well as teaching me a lot about myself and being a better doctor).

It is an amazing place – it’s completely safe, there is essentially no crime and you are 50 miles from one of the best game parks in the world (South Luangwa National Park).  St Francis is run by a UK born and trained paediatrician (who can also do sections, colectomies and hernias) Shelia Parkinson, a truly great person.

James and Faith Cairns organise for UK doctors to go out and work there – they would be happy to answer any questions, as I would. They pay your flights, sort out all you insurance contributions and pay you subsistence allowance out there.

They are desperately short of surgeons and need you.

See the hospital website at http://www.saintfrancishospital.net/

Please click here to view an article I wrote about my time there.

James and Faith’s e-mail is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

My e-mail – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Rob Bethune

Clinical Advisor to the Regional Director of Public Health

ST5 General Surgery, Severn Deanery