Bridging the Gap in Global Healthcare – My Journey as an Intern and a Volunteer

Bethlehem is a dedicated GP from Ethiopia and digital communications volunteer at Medical Aid Films who is contributing to narrowing the health gap worldwide. As we celebrate International Health Day, she shares her inspiring journey, which began during her internship at one of Ethiopia’s top hospitals in 2021, and highlights how patient stories have inspired her to pursue a career in public health.

The patient stories that inspired me to pursue my career in healthcare

Being an intern in one of the top tier hospitals in Ethiopia can be a bit disorienting at first. You are expected to routinely work 48 hours and see countless patients with varying needs. 

I vividly remember my first day on the job. I was nervous and overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the hospital. Patients were coming and going, doctors were rushing from one room to the next, and nurses were scrambling to keep up with the constant flow of people.

As part of my medical school experience, I served as an intern at one of Ethiopia’s best hospitals. During my internship, I rotated through four primary specialisations. Each rotation had its unique challenges, requiring a distinct set of skills and knowledge, but what remained constant throughout my internship were the stories and cases of the patients I encountered.

During my gynaecology rotation, I met a 16-year-old pregnant girl who had an unplanned pregnancy because she couldn’t access contraceptives. She was scared and overwhelmed, but I worked with her to develop a plan for her pregnancy and ensure she had access to the resources she needed to take care of herself and her child.

In another instance, during my paediatrics rotation, I met a new mother whose child was born with spina bifida. She hadn’t been aware of the impact of taking folic acid on the health of her and her baby. It was heartbreaking to see the pain she felt knowing that she’d never received vital information which could have potentially decreased the risk of her child facing lifelong challenges. 

These were the stories that inspired me to pursue a career in health communication and public health. They highlight the gaps that exist in our healthcare system and the need for improved access to education and resources for patients. 

Nearly half of the world’s population doesn’t have access to healthcare within an hour of walking distance

Joining Medical Aid Films as a digital communications volunteer has been eye-opening for me. It has given me a chance to broaden my understanding of the global healthcare system and the challenges that exist within it.

I remember one day when I was working on a project, I came across some startling statistics. I learned that nearly half of the world’s population doesn’t have access to healthcare within an hour of walking distance. This made me realise the enormity of the task at hand and the critical need for accessible and quality health information.

Volunteering at Medical Aid Films has given me an opportunity to make a difference. Our team is passionate about creating content that is engaging, informative, and easy to understand. We know that knowledge is power, and we believe that by providing communities with the right information, we can help them lead healthier lives.

As we mark International Health Day, it’s important to reflect on the global health challenges we face and take action towards building a fairer and healthier world.

As we mark International Health Day, it’s important to reflect on the global health challenges we face and take action towards building a fairer and healthier world.

Through my work with Medical Aid Films, I have seen the impact that access to health information and resources can have on vulnerable communities. This International Health Day, I urge everyone to support us and take action towards closing the gaps that exist in our healthcare systems.

Together, we can work towards ensuring that every person has access to the care and information they need to lead a healthy life.