Taking the Plunge

I have finally decided to take the plunge and go on an OOPE, for the non-medics amongst you that is out of programme experience. The plan is to take some time out of the run-through training and do something different.  My name is Yetunde Odutolu and I am an ST4 paediatrics trainee in the North West of England. I was born in Nigeria (Africa) and grew up there till I moved to England 14 years ago to become a paediatrician or a health economist (I must have met someone awesome who was an health economist)!.

               

Some might ask why I am doing this and here is an explanation…. The last few years have been spent “becoming a paediatrician”, but during those years as well as learning about child health, I have also developed an enormous love and need to learn more about the continent I was born in.  Aside from these aspirations, there is also the constant voice of my wonderful parents in my head always reminding me to give back especially where there is need. With these longings and some skills behind me as a doctor, I hope to spend the 6 months working as a volunteer for the RCPCH Global Health Links Volunteer programme in a regional Hospital in Eastern Uganda (Pearl of Africa) called Jinja Regional Hospital.

Many of my friends and family have suggested that I start a blog, so they can follow my work, adventures and general ups and downs in Jinja.   Bear with me on this new adventures, writing a blog might be just as taxing for me as working in a different country. I hope to go and learn but also help in whatever way I can.  Listening to a few people who have completed similar programmes, I have been warned to prepare myself for a feeling of not achieving much or not making a difference at all. However a very wise godfather sent me a fabulous quote last week and armoured with this great quote I feel ready to go and learn. So come along with me as I…

“Go to the people. Live with them. Learn from them. Love them. Start
with what they know. Build with what they have. But with the best
leaders, when the work is done, the task accomplished, the people will
 say 'We have done this ourselves.”   Lao Tzu.