Volunteering trip to Balapitiya Base Hospital

Hello everyone, thank you for visiting our page! Our names are Hermione, Elizabeth and Poppy, and we are second-year student midwives in the NHS.

As part of our studies, we are encouraged to spend two weeks working in an area that interests us. Therefore, we have decided to travel to Sri Lanka to develop an understanding of the healthcare, particularly maternity services out there.

We will spend most of our time volunteering at Balapitiya Base Hospital. This government-funded hospital is the leading and largest base hospital in the whole of the Southern Province. It provides services to over one-third of the population living in the Galle district (220,000+).

The economic situation in Sri Lanka is challenging with shortages of basic necessities including medicines, cooking gas, fuel and food because of a shortage of hard currency to pay for imports. In addition, there are ongoing daily power cuts due to electricity rationing. This makes pregnant women and new mothers increasingly vulnerable and the hospital requires ongoing support.

During our time in Sri Lanka, we will discover new perspectives and cultural attitudes toward medicine, learn how to collaborate with people from a different culture and develop a range of new skills. Additionally, we aim to educate the women of Sri Lanka in programs such as the UNICEF UK baby-friendly initiative and the Lullaby trust safer sleep advice. We aim to not only empower them, but provide hope to vulnerable mothers. On returning, we hope to not only incorporate what I have learned into our own practice but also teach and encourage others.

Unfortunately, the university does not provide funding for elective placements. Therefore, we are seeking donations to help make this placement possible. If this is something you would be able to help us with, or if you would like some more information, please do not hesitate to ask.

Thank you so much, any donations are hugely appreciated!