Kelowna

At 70-years-old, local thoracic surgeon Dr. Bill Nelems seems an unlikely participant for a gruelling, 38-day, 4,500 kilometre bike trek across sub-Saharan Africa from Zambia to Capetown, South Africa.

But, on April 7, Dr. Nelems will embark upon just that, with a goal of raising $100,000 for a much-needed health education initiative he is heading up called Okanagan Zambia Health Initiative.

OkaZHI is a partnership between Okanagan doctors and nurses and the nation of Zambia, and has its sights set on collaboratively bringing hope to a nation where the life expectancy for women is just 38 and for men, 41.

“We believe that health can only be improved in Zambia in the future if the skills and capacities of local Zambian nurses, physicians and health workers are strengthened in a sustainable way,” says Dr. Nelems.

“We believe that by building skills and enhancing educational opportunities, we not only grow capacity but we provide hope. This bike trek and the funds it will raise will help make this vision a reality.”

Also riding with Dr. Nelems are Jessica Barker and Lianne Jones, two local RNs who will bike part of the trek through Zambia.

Both nurses have worked in Zambia already and their riding with Dr. Nelems furthers the vital collaboration this initiative is based upon.

By bringing nurses, general practitioners and surgeons together, Okanagan Zambia Health Initiative is crossing disciplines to provide a comprehensive curriculum and hands-on training for Zambian health care workers.

Teams of medical experts are joining forces in growing numbers, including local GP and Chair of OkaZHI Dr. Linda Hawker, and founding member of OkaZHI, Joan Bassett-Smith (Professor of Nursing at UBCO).

Efforts are being focused in the poorest region of the country, an area called Western Province, where Zambians have the least access to health care.

With the start of Dr. Nelems’ African-bike trek now less than two months away, the heat is on to drive both private and public donations, as well as to recruit new, passionate volunteers with an interest in health education.

Link: OKAZHI website