How Volunteers Support Healthcare in Livingstone: An Interview with Reuben Hachikuyu
Reuben Hachikuyu is a registered nurse from Zambia who trained at Livingstone School of Nursing and Midwifery. He’s part of our Zambian team, where he supports everyone who takes part in our medical programs in Livingstone. We asked Reuben how healthcare works in and around Livingstone, where the biggest pressures are, and how volunteers and interns fit into the picture.
What is your background? And what does your role in Livingstone involve day to day?
“I’m a registered nurse from Zambia. I hold a Diploma in Nursing and completed my nursing training at Livingstone School of Nursing and Midwifery. Through my nursing experience, I have developed skills in patient assessment, medication administration, health education, infection prevention and control, monitoring patients, and working effectively as part of a healthcare team.
From Monday to Friday, I mainly provide home-based care. I visit patients in their homes, monitor their condition, check vital signs, assist with medication, provide health education, and support both patients and their families. On Wednesdays, I also help at the clinic, where I assist the healthcare team with patient care and other nursing duties. I enjoy this routine because it allows me to work closely with patients in the community while also gaining experience in a clinical setting.”
What does the healthcare system in and around Livingstone look like, in terms of clinics, hospitals, and how patients typically access care?
“The healthcare system in and around Livingstone consists of community health facilities, clinics, hospitals and private healthcare providers. At community level, patients can access services such as general consultations, maternal and child health, immunizations, HIV and TB services, health education and other basic healthcare services.
When a patient’s condition is more serious or requires specialized care, they can be referred from a clinic or health center to a larger hospital such as Livingstone University Teaching Hospital, which provides more advanced and specialized services.
From my experience with home-based care, I have seen how important community healthcare is because it allows healthcare workers to support patients in their homes, monitor their conditions and educate family members. When necessary, patients can then be referred to a clinic or hospital for further assessment and treatment.”
And what are the biggest gaps or pressures the system faces?
“Some of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare system here are shortages of healthcare workers, limited resources, shortages of medicines and medical supplies, and limited diagnostic equipment in some community facilities.
Access to healthcare can also be difficult for people living far from health facilities, particularly when transport is a challenge. This is why community and home-based care is very important. Through home visits, healthcare workers can monitor patients, provide health education, identify problems early, and encourage patients to seek further medical attention when necessary.
Despite these challenges, there have been efforts to strengthen primary healthcare, improve infrastructure, provide equipment and expand community outreach services. I believe that strengthening community healthcare, improving the availability of medicines and equipment, and supporting healthcare workers can help improve the quality and accessibility of care.”
How does African Impact’s work tie into the system?
“African Impact works alongside the existing healthcare system in Livingstone rather than operating separately from it. We work with local clinics, healthcare workers and community caregivers to support community health programs.
A major part of the work is home-based care. Volunteers work alongside local caregivers to visit patients in their homes, take basic vital signs, assist with simple wound care, provide health education and monitor patients. African Impact also supports local clinics, where volunteers work alongside qualified nurses and healthcare staff with activities such as taking vital signs, patient intake, documentation and supporting under-five clinics. Plus, there’s a strong focus on prevention and health education through community and school programs.
Crucially, African Impact has established relationships with local healthcare facilities and community caregivers so that volunteer activities complement the work already being done by qualified healthcare professionals. I think this relationship is important because volunteers are not replacing local healthcare workers; they are providing additional support while learning from the local healthcare system.
From my perspective as a nurse, I see African Impact as a bridge between the healthcare system and the community. The combination of clinic support, home-based care and health education allows healthcare workers to reach patients not only when they come to a facility, but also in their homes and communities.”
How do volunteers and interns fit into the work African Impact does?
“Volunteers and interns work alongside the existing healthcare system and support local healthcare professionals and community caregivers. They do not replace qualified nurses or other healthcare workers.
In the public health program, volunteers can assist with home-based care by taking basic vital signs, supporting simple wound care under supervision, providing health education and recording information for follow-up. They can also support clinic activities, for example helping with the under-five clinic, weighing babies, documenting growth and taking vital signs.
Interns have a similar opportunity to gain practical experience, but their role also includes learning about public health, participating in community outreach and health education, collecting information and developing their professional skills.
I think the contribution of volunteers and interns is important because they provide additional support to healthcare workers and help extend healthcare activities into the community. At the same time, they learn from local healthcare professionals and gain a better understanding of the healthcare needs of the community.”
Join Us in Livingstone!
If Reuben’s story has you curious, there are several ways to join our medical work in Livingstone:
- Individuals: join as a volunteer on our Public Health and Community Volunteer Project, take on a Public Health Internship, or complete a Medical Elective
- Universities: bring your students on a faculty-led or study abroad program
- Schools: explore our High School and IB CAS programs
Visit our Livingstone volunteer programs to find the right fit, or get in touch and we’ll help you plan.
