To improve the quality of medical care in developing countries, ASH has partnered with Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving global health through education. ASH member volunteers travel to countries in need of education and training for health-care providers on the treatment of patients with blood disorders. This unique program covers the management of a full range of blood disorders, from the many forms of anemia (including those associated with malaria, pregnancy, iron deficiency, thalassemia, and sickle cell disease), to disorders that lead to abnormal bleeding and clotting, to malignant disorders such as leukemia and lymphoma.

HVO training programs focus on local diseases and health conditions, and the procedures and skills taught are relevant, realistic, and sustainable, with the goal that the indigenous population will continue to benefit from the experience long after the volunteer has departed. In addition to teaching, volunteers may also shape curriculum design, influence national health policy, and promote realistic health interventions.

Throughout the program, volunteers will be provided with a clean, safe place to live. Travel costs to and from the site are the responsibility of the volunteer. (These expenses are tax deductible.) All volunteers will also receive detailed orientation materials from both HVO and the program director in advance of their departure.

One- to four-week assignments are available for either pediatric or adult hematology/oncology clinicians or laboratory-based scientists. To be considered, applicants must be members of ASH and HVO (apply for ASH membership; apply for HVO membership). Volunteers from outside the United States are encouraged to apply.

Volunteers Needed!

Tanzania

Volunteers are needed this summer to help prepare hematology trainees at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) for their end of term exams. Assist local educators in preparing students and delivering and scoring the exams. Volunteers needed as soon as July 2013!

In addition, sickle cell experts, laboratory scientists, and blood banking and transfusion medicine volunteers are needed at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam. Currently, six hematologists work diligently at MNH to manage a large population of hematology patients, but the expertise of ASH members can make an indelible impact toward progress here in the clinics, laboratory, on-site blood bank, and classrooms. The hospital is affiliated with the adjacent Muhimbili University for Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) at which volunteers are also asked to provide lectures to supplement the hematology curriculum.

Cambodia

Adult and pediatric hematologists are needed at the Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Reap, Cambodia. 

Current needs and goals at this site include: 

• Diagnosis and management of ALL
• Smear interpretation
• Develop trigger values for low counts (high prevalence of aplastic anemia)
• Limited bedside training with in-patient department, in-patient rounds on specific presentations

Uganda

Hematologist volunteers are needed in Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Eligible volunteers must be board-certified/eligible in hematology (volunteers with two years of training in a subspecialty fellowship and board-certified in internal medicine or pediatrics may be considered at the discretion of the program director), have some prior experience working in a remote environment, and suitably flexible to adjust to the local situation. Clinicians must have a current medical license and register with the local medical council prior to the trip. The site needs volunteers in all areas of hematology, including both clinicians and laboratory scientists as well as adult and pediatric hematologists.

Current needs and goals at this site include: 

• Performance and interpretation of smear and bone marrow aspirates
• Delivery of standard hematological workups
• Teaching of techniques (bone marrow biopsy)
• Performance and interpretation of smears and staining

Peru

HVO is recruiting ASH members to volunteer for assignments with the Peruvian Social Security Health System, Empresa De Seguros De Salud (EsSalud), which provides health care for almost 10 million Peruvians (approximately 30-40 percent of the population). The goals of the program are to develop protocols and standardize treatment guidelines to improve patient management, improve or develop diagnostic procedures, and to improve resident education through formal training in the EsSalud hospitals. Training will take place at hospitals in Lima, Arequipa, and Cusco.

Current needs and goals at each site include:

Rebagliati Hospital in Lima 

• Molecular diagnoses for acute leukemia: CML, AML
• Infection control post BMT
• Molecular diagnosis for MPN; JAK-2, etc.
• Guidelines regarding various hematologic issues

Almenara Hospital in Lima 

• Interpretation of blood and bone marrow smears
• Guidelines regarding various hematologic issues

Hospital Escobedo in Arequipa 

• Interpretation of bone marrow smears
• Management of bleeding and clotting patients
• Flow cytometry diagnostics
• Diagnose and treat different leukemia and benign and malignant tumors

Velasco Hospital in Cusco 

• Smear interpretation
• CBC Algorithm
• Standard Operating Procedure Manuals:
• Anemia in children and adults
• Approach to abnormal white count
• Diagnosis and management of standard hematologic disorders

Questions?

To learn more, please contact Chase Willett, ASH International Programs Specialist.

To apply for any of the HVO programs, please contact Danielle Stonehirsch, HVO Recruitment Coordinator.

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