Used textbooks, medical, dental equipment needed for Zambian school

Susan Swindells, M.B.B.S., is leading a drive to collect used medical and dental textbooks and equipment to send to a new medical school in the African nation of Zambia.

Used medical and dental textbooks and equipment such as microscopes and stethoscopes are being collected to send to a new medical school in northern Zambia.

Officials from the new school recently visited UNMC to learn more about methods for health care education. While in Nebraska, they met with Susan Swindells, M.B.B.S., professor of internal medicine in the section of infectious diseases and medical director of the UNMC HIV Clinic, and others including University of Nebraska-Lincoln virologist Charles Wood, Ph.D.

Collection information Books can either be dropped off at the Specialty Care Clinic at 804 S. 52nd St., (just south of 52nd and Leavenworth), or sent via campus courier to ZIP code 8106. Supplies such as microscopes, stethoscopes and other equipment cannot be sent via campus courier. Dr. Swindells suggests people contact either her or Deanna Hansen at 559-5392 or sswindells@unmc.edu or dmhansen@unmc.edu, to arrange a drop-off or delivery for such equipment. Textbooks and equipment will be collected until July 1.

“They need everything,” Dr. Swindells said. “We’ll take anything useful for teaching medical and dental students.

“I have a lot of old text books that I never use because if I need to look up anything anymore, I look online. I mostly keep my textbooks for sentimental value but they could be put to real use at the new school.”

According to a 2006 report, Zambia had less than 650 doctors to care for its 12 million people. In contrast, hundreds of physicians can be found at UNMC alone.

There also currently is no dental school in Zambia, which creates a particularly pressing need for dental textbooks and supplies, Dr. Swindells said.

The new school — which is in Ndola — is set to open in April of 2011. Forty medical students and 10 dental students will compose the first class.