NHS staff hear African nurse plea

A nurse from Malawi met NHS staff in Scotland to ask if they would back an Oxfam campaign for more health workers in Africa.
Dorothy Ngoma, the leader of the National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi, spoke to staff at Glasgow's Southern General Hospital.

She told them about her country's health care emergency where millions of people are unable to get treatment.

Life expectancy is 37 in Malawi and thousands of nursing posts are vacant.

On Monday, Ms Ngoma urged her fellow health professionals in Scotland to support Oxfam's Health & Education For All campaign.

The project is highlighting the health crisis facing countries like Malawi and the need for more health and education workers.

Ms Ngoma said: "There is a health crisis in Malawi and in many of the poorest countries around the world.

"It is great to get a chance to meet counterparts from the Scottish health service, talk with them about the difficulties we face and get their support for Oxfam's campaign to get six million more health and education workers worldwide."

Scottish nurse Anne McGinley, who is a health visitor based in the south side of Glasgow, met Ms Ngoma.

She said: "With a lack of health care, such a key factor in causing poverty, it's easy to see the difference more nurses and doctors would make in countries like Malawi."

Eilidh Whiteford, Oxfam Scotland's campaigns' manager, added that it was great to get the support of staff at the Southern General.

She added: "We hope Dorothy Ngoma's visit will inspire many more people to get involved, whether they are health professionals or ordinary members of the public."