Open AccessENT Outreach in Africa: Rules of Engagement
Author(s) -
Mulwafu Wakisa,
Fagan Johannes J.,
Mukara Kaitesi Batamuliza,
Ibekwe Titus S.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
oto open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2473-974X
DOI - 10.1177/2473974x18777220
Subject(s) - outreach , developing country , public relations , investment (military) , medical education , business , medicine , economic growth , political science , economics , law , politics
To address inequality of access to ear, nose, and throat (ENT) care, there must be significant and sustained investment in education and training of surgeons, audiologists, speech therapists, clinical officers, anesthetists, and specialized nurses engaged in ENT in sub‐Saharan Africa and other developing nations. Outreach by ENT surgeons from developed countries is essential if we are to address the critical lack of access to ENT care in SSA. However, it should be based on mutual respect, shared values, aspirations, a desire to create a durable and sustainable impact, and internationally accepted best practice. In this article, we propose rules of engagement for outreach projects in SSA and other developing countries to optimize their contributions by making them useful, sustainable, productive, and developmental. These proposed rules of engagement are based on our personal experiences and observations—good and bad—of outreach activities in our countries.