Calvarium #4

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CALVARIUM Bi-annual E-zine of UNAM School of Medicine & Pharmacy

One Year Closer

2015 SEMESTER one


CALVARIUM N4 o

A SHORT HISTORY OF MEDICINE

Doctor, I have an earache... 2000 BC “Here, eat this root” 1000 BC “That root is heathen, say this prayer” 1850 AD “That prayer is superstition, drink this potion” 1920 AD “That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill” 1975 AD “That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic” 2006 AD “That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root”

Bi-annual E-zine of UNAM School of Medicine & Pharmacy


CONTENTS 9 In Rememberance of Napamwe

THE MEDICAL TRUTH MBChB Programme Extended to Six Years H

15 First Aid Basics: Fainting

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16 Class of 2011 SOP Graduation 21

Sleepers

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New Societies

25

SOMP Student Hacks

30 Surviving Hostel Life: The Sequel

Q&Awith

Anna

LECTURER FEATURE

DR C MBANGTANG

events 10 #TurnUp Welcome Back Bash

17 White Coat Ceremony

22 Volleyball for All 2015 29

First Year Bash, USSS Suturing Workshop

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Shirts Friday, Do I Want to be a Surgeon, Megameno

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Awards Ceremony, Independence Day Celebration

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Blood Drive, TB Day, Fellowship Easter

regulars 5 27 28 33 39

Editor’s Note

We Asked: Skipping Class

We Asked First Years: Test Shock NNJM: Convenient Phobias SOMPhulness

WHITE COAT EDITION

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GREAT MEDICAL INNOVATIONS OF THE 21ST CENTURY


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CALVARIUM No4

CALVARIUM 2014 One Year Closer Semester 1 Volume 3, Issue 1

№4

Editor-In-Chief Monique van Alphen Managing Editors Anna Hangula Ruth Amunjela

Anna Ruth Managing Editor

Managing Editor

Monique Editor-in-Chief

Efe

Features Editor/Layout Tax Shafashike Senior Writers Anna Hangula / Ruth Amunjela / Alexia Tshapumba / Nomsa Amuli / Catherine Nambandi Writers Efemena “Efe” Ogbokor / Monique van Alphen / Dennis Noa / Alex Ilunga / Paul Nakashololo / Fifi Tjitemisa / Ludwig Goamab / Given Sishekano / Tashinga Munjanga / Guevani Murorua

Dennis Alexia Essy

Catherine

Contributors Siku Ndoroma / Claudine Mostert / Angelique Mrefu / Alma Shimanda / Iyaloo Ndikwetepo / Maria Nangolo / Seuna Karuaihe / Lene Le Roux / Nadine Mouton Nasim Tekie / Michal Rossouw/ Mpeza Special Thanks Dr C Mbangtang Cover Image “Unravelling Heads” by NastPlas

Calvarium is UNAM School of Medicine & Pharmacy’s official student-run E-Magazine, Released Bi-Annually. © 2015

Given Ludwig Paul Tash

The Standard Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed in Calvarium are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of UNAM School of Medicine & Pharmacy staff.

view online calvarium.unamsomp@ gmail.com

download back issues

Fifi Nomsa Alex Guevani


CALVARIUM No4

editor's note

TO ALL OUR READERS

What a semester it has been! Rising from the ashes of a bumpy end to 2014 and start to 2015, the UNAM School of Medicine and Pharmacy has regained composure and we are proudly and courageously marching on in our pursuit of Health for All and become Seven Star worthy health care practitioners.

First things first: special congratulations to the Class of 2011 pioneer UNAM School of Pharmacy graduates. Your success is an inspiration to us all and serves as a reminder that hard work and dedication is what it takes to make it in the end.

In this issue we reflect on the ins and outs of life at our campus and we are once again thankful for the time we have spent learning and practising medicine. Campus life has been more exciting than ever, with the addition of more student societies (MADSOC, need I say more) and a day res – House Sciatica for those not residing in the Cranial Vault. We look back on wonderful social events and equally brilliant academic events and we are proud of the contribution that all students made towards the exciting semester that it was. Most importantly, it is my great privilege to thank the three pillars of strength on the Calvarium team: Tax Shafashike, Anna Hangula and Ruth Amunjela. These ladies have been here since the very beginning, guiding and directing the Calvarium to become the esteemed magazine that it is today. In a short period of time, they have taken what usually would have been just another campus magazine and made it an exciting, interactive and fun reading experience for both Medicine and Pharmacy students. To Tax, the creative brain behind us all, thank you for hours of relentless effort and dedication to our cause. We appreciate all that you continue to do for us and the compassion and expertise that you bring to the team. Without you, there would be no Calvarium and we are blessed to have someone like you! To Anna and Ruth, thank you for keeping in close contact with the team on campus, for all the motivation and reminders, for scavenging for the most interesting behind-the-scenes articles and stories and for making serving on the team an interesting adventure! To the rest of the team, thank you for writing articles and giving your ideas and opinions. We look forward to what the next issue entails! The Calvarium consists of contributions from our team and we are as always open to any submissions, suggestions and comments from all our students. Please contact one of us if you would like to be a part of the legend that is the Calvarium! “In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die. Where you invest your love, you invest your life” (Anonymous). May each of us continue to dedicate ourselves and our time toward the wonder that is Medicine.

Monique van Alphen

SRC Information & Publicity 2015

contributors

ERGO COLLATICIA UT CALVARIUM

Siku Ndoroma / Claudine Mostert / Angelique Mrefu / Alma Shimanda / Iyaloo Ndikwetepo / Maria Nangolo / Seuna Karuaihe / Lene Le Roux / Nadine Mouton / Nasim Tekie / Michal Rossouw/ Mpeza

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CALVARIUM No4 Amidst our sail in this ocean of uncertainty regarding the ‘competence’ of the medical students and the controversy surrounding whether or not they are academically and practically up-to-standard, Calvarium decided to approach some of the Clinicians that work with the students on a regular basis in both the clinical and academic settings. We asked them to give their truthful opinion of the medical students on a confidential basis. The main aim of the articles in this multi-part series is positive criticism, for students to be able to use this to reflect on themselves and make adjustments where due.

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SURGERY

CALVARIUM No4

Dr Incognito

What is your general opinion of the students at UNAM SOM (the one’s that you’ve worked with)? I’ll divide them into 3 groups: • There are the motivated and aggressive students who really want to learn • Those who have to be pushed to learn • Then there are those who are just aloof and don’t really want to make the effort to learn. Most students fall within the second category

What do you think the students are really good at? When students come to the ward, we require them to clerk all the patients. Therefore, by the end of the rotation, they’re good at history taking; and they do fairly well on examination - depending on the level of the year. One thing that bothers me is the fact that students don’t have enough time to play games - soccer, swimming, a method of unwinding. If you’re at school from morning to evening, how much time will you have to do other things? Things that will help you develop yourself.

What/where are the medical students really lacking?

Attitude! Students should be made to understand before coming to the wards (or before coming into medical school) that it’s not a walk in the park; it’s not a glamorous life. If you’re in medicine for the status, you’ll end up as a doctor of poor quality. Most of the learning done is at the ward, not in the lecture. The patient is the best textbook. If you’re self-motivated, it helps a lot! When you motivate yourself, it’ll drive you to study and ask questions in order learn more. Get motivated to study on your own.

SURGERY Prof Unidentified

What is your general opinion of the students at UNAM SOM (the one’s that you’ve worked with)? In general, they’re good. There are however a few who are not up to scratch. The students who are accepted into medical school are said to do very well in high school; thus they are prepared for the challenge of medical school.

What do you think the students are really good at?

I’m with them mainly only in tutorials and they’re generally good; as far as presenting. There are some who have to improve their skills, but they are generally very good. In order to present, there is a need for preparation/to practice; and this is done well.

What/where are the medical students really lacking?

I’m not too exposed to them in the clinical setting. Therefore it’s difficult to make an assumption on their clinical knowledge. When having bed-side tutorials, I do notice the need to improve on their practical knowledge. Based from last year’s practical exam, about 60% did very, very well and 40% need improvement.

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CALVARIUM No4

INTERNAL MEDICINE Mr E. Nigma

How do you think medical students perform overall academically & clinically? From my own personal experience there is a variation between performances as is to be expected; I would say that by the time students are in their fourth year the vast majority of students have acquired a level of competence relevant to their academic year.

What are the areas where you think the students can improve?

There is a normal immaturity in the first 3 years but over the last three years there is an advancing of seriousness and professionalism as they spend more and more time in the clinical setting. We need to see significant improvement within the clinical rotations: many of the students show up late or are absent for clinical activities, are not engaging or are avoiding faculty.

What are the medical students really good at?

The academics are very good, they are organized. Almost all of the students are competitive. We have students who are absolutely qualified and willing to get through the work and they are hardworking, they are good communicators and most of them have a very humanitarian view of their job and why they are called to do it.

“If you want to hide money from a UNAM medical student, hide it in a Bailey & Love’s”

INTERNAL MEDICINE Dr Anonymous

How do you think medical students perform overall academically & clinically? I work mostly with senior students, so most of my information will be based off their year. I think the students do well overall; they’re reasonably committed to what they’re supposed to do and they participate fully. But if I’m to note truthfully what I observed when teaching the junior years last year, their commitment to clinical skills is not really good, perhaps due to the fact that they’re being pulled by different things in different directions. There were students who were missing classes because they had a test and felt they should put more efforts into the test than into their clinical skill.

What are the areas where you think the students can improve?

Medical students will only improve if an environment is provided that will allow them to improve. Many don’t have time for self-improvement; the curriculum does not allow that. So it overall boils down to management.

What are the medical students really good at?

They’re good at what medical students are supposed to be good at - which is reading medicine. I am however concerned that all they do seem to do is medicine. They don’t seem to have any extra-curricular activities - playgrounds, volleyball, basketball, tennis - “All work and no play makes Jill a dull girl”.


CALVARIUM No4

In Rememberance of

Napamwe Kandole Hileni Kaitungwa 31.03.1993 - 18.12.2014

Paradise I see flowers from the cottage where I lie. YAITSU’S DEATH POEM, 1807

Dear Napamwe

Napamwe, Whenever I think about you, which is literally every day, I can’t help but hear that laugh echoing through my ears. The fun times we had together, the crazy jokes that only you and I understood, and the terrible new “recipes” I made you eat. Those were the days, so many memories made. A friend through thick and thin indeed. Every time someone mentions your name, my heart aches a little more. Everywhere I go, I see a piece of you. The impact you made on our lives is beyond what words can describe. Without you, the tetrad is no longer the same. We have lost a dear friend, but God’s timing is always perfect, so all we can do is thank Him for the time He gave us with you. You will forever remain in our hearts. May your legacy continue and may your soul continue to rest with Abba…

Alma Shimanda

Dear Napamwe To this very day I still long to see your beautiful face, to hear the sound of your cheerful voice, to be in your warm presence my dear friend. Right now, all I have left are the beautiful memories we created, memories I will forever cherish and our history will remain a treasure that I will guard with my whole heart, till the day we meet again. Thank you for inspiring me to do better in all aspects of my life. Your character alone was enough to challenge me and convict me to rise to my full potential and maintain my dignity. The school has lost a dedicated student, the nation has lost a seven star doctor, and the family has lost a loving daughter. In different capacities we all have been moved by your passing Napamwe, but we rest in the hope that our loving Father in heaven makes no mistakes, and through our faith in Christ Jesus we shall unite again and this time it will be forever. Continue resting with the angels sweetheart.

Iyaloo Ndikwetepo

I have gone through so much in life, but your passing hit me real hard. But you know what? The sad part is we are all going to be gone one day. Your departure made me realize that tomorrow is just never guaranteed. Martin Luther once said, “Even if the world ends tomorrow, I will plant my apple tree today”. We are Christians, we believe in life after death; and we know well that Jesus has power over death, so that’s the only hope I have. That fact makes me feel better. And I know Who comforts and sympathizes with me. This hope is sufficient. Wherever you are, you know how I feel. Maya Angelo once said, “Love liberates, it doesn’t bind.” Still letting go is hard. I believe you are in a better place now. It’s more like see you later… Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved and very dear. I have an Angel watching me from above... “Ondahala offish & chips noohi mbali” – Girl, my favourite joke! Gone but never forgotten. Real friendship doesn’t freeze in winter, nor does it melt in summer. You are one of the greatest treasures I ever had. I love you till the end of time.

Maria Nangolo

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10 CALVARIUM No4

#turnup welcome back bash Here at the School of Medicine and Pharmacy, we are in the business of promoting healthy balanced lifestyles and take pride in our student community. Therefore under the SRC portfolio of Recreation, Bubbles Udjombala and the rest of the team provided for a day of bubbly fun at the SOMP Hostel. The #TurnUp Welcome Back Bash saw to it that all students, including the new first years, felt right at home! Food was served all throughout the afternoon and evening and we had a wonderful time relaxing and getting to know each other. We would like to thank other UNAM SRC members for joining us! It was so much fun seeing all of you there and we will definitely welcome you on our campus again! Unfortunately the fun and games will have to wait for a while as we are back in academic action ;)


CALVARIUM No4 11

The Seven Star Times H

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Since June 2015

MBCHB PROGRAMME EXTENDED TO SIX YEARS The student population constitutes the ‘cream’ of Namibia’s ‘crop’ and we will therefore continue to serve and trust in our capabilities and the knowledge that we acquire. Our teaching team is made up of specialists in their respective fields. On an international level, as feedback from students who worked in other countries relay, we are able to stand on our own and make valuable contributions.

● Monique van Alphen It is with this love of medicine and humanity that we as students at the UNAM School of Medicine and Pharmacy approach every situation we encounter. As Namibia has now become aware, our Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) course will henceforth be a six year one instead of the five years that we were currently running. Contrary to what may have been portrayed in the media, we as students have accepted this and are now awaiting the details as to what students already registered for the MBChB course will do in our sixth year of study. Classes have continued as per usual and the 2015 fifth years have already started their training at the two district hospitals in Windhoek and Oshakati.

As it is, the School has to comply with the HPCNA’s required six year degree and will thus incorporate our curriculum over this period. To set the country’s mind at ease, the curriculum’s content is adequate and there should never be doubt in a UNAM School of Medicine student’s capabilities within the hospital setting. We are a group of highly dedicated and motivated students, powered by the knowledge that we are busy shaping the future of Namibia’s health care system and working towards our ultimate goal of truly becoming Seven Star Doctors in the service of our fellow countrymen. We understand that the public has had mixed feelings in response to various articles and would like to urge Namibia to continue to have faith in this ground breaking national initiative as we will not stop in our pursuit of ‘Health For All’.

As we as students and the country at large are awaiting final clarity on the exact way forward, we ask that you continue to trust in us and join us in accepting this new challenge, adapting to whatever is to come next and forge on in our pursuit. You may trust in this: Namibia – we will make you proud!

Wherever the art of } medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity

~

Hippocrates

MBChB IV student Monique van Alphen is 2015 SRC for Information and Publicity at UNAM SOM/P

COW GIVES BIRTH TO TWINS IN KENYAN VILLAGE

Story on page 3


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CALVARIUM No4 13


14 CALVARIUM No4

Anna Q&Awith

HANGULA

Who?

Anna L. Hangula

MBChB IV (UNAM) Vice President for Academics of UNAM Student Surgery Society Committee member of Southern Africa Student Surgery Society

Managing editor of Calvarium magazine Stripes or polka dots? Polka dots

Favourite colour? Blue!!! (But I’m definitely not as obsessed with the colour as a certain orthopaedic MO is.)

Favourite food? Home cooked food - Pap & traditional spinach, traditional chicken, cottage pie etc. Oh, and I’ve aquired a new found love for sea food - sushi, oysters, prawns... So much yum! Winter or summer? Winter. No bugs in winter. I hate bugs. What did you want to be when you were little? It changed quite often. First I wanted to be a teacher, then I wanted to be a psychologist (after watching an episode of Hey Arnold), a mathematician, and eventually a doctor.

What’s the weirdest food you’ve ever tasted? I can’t remember any weird food I’ve tasted, but I can remember the most atrocious and disgusting drink I’ve ever had. There were 2 occassions where I had to drink ‘Coloprep’ before a procedure. Blegh! I wanted to throw the drink back to the doctor and tell him to drink that crap. And what is it with pharmaceutic companies trying to flavour something that’s clearly too disgusting to be enjoyed??! I despise any ginger and lemon flavoured drink because of that experience. What’s your favourite pastime, that is, when you do have time to kill? Sleeeep!!! :D And baking on the side. And I used to love reading novels...but then med school happened.

Favourite TV show of all time? I can’t choose one! There are too many good ones right now - Game of Thrones, Sherlock, Gotham...

If you could be an animated character, who would you be and why? Probably Olaf from Frozen. He has such a pure heart which is hard to find in this day and age, and he’s so loyal to his friends. Also, he dreams big: he’s a snowman who wanted to see summer. A pretty ridiculous and impossible goal, but he was determined to do it, pushed through and he finally achieved his dream. Something you’ve always wanted to try? Skydiving Would you rather have a cat or dog? Dog

If you could fly, where would you go? Hmm, let me think on that one.

If a million US dollars fell down from the sky and hit you on the head (that’s US dollars), what’s the first thing you’d buy or do with it? Haha, I’m really not that crazy about money. But I’d give a portion to my parents; take 2 or 3 friends on an all-expense paid trip to Dubai for a couple days; go on a shopping spree; then invest the rest of it. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you have and why? 1. My tablet - I have a library of books to keep me occupied, as well as music, videos, plus ‘endless’ levels of Candy Crush


CALVARIUM No4 15 2. A portable solar charger - no explanation needed 3. A companion. Gotta be someone I get along with though

To which animal do you think you’d be most similar to and why? Umm, a bunny perhaps? They’re cute and fluffy :D What would you say is your best quality? My smile. It honestly just comes automatically. I’m not trying to flirt, lol. But it works against me at times; people don’t take me seriously when I’m angry :/

Is there someone who inspires you? Looking up to one person alone can be dangerous since everyone has flaws; and it can lead to disappointment. However, I gain inspiration from some people I interact with on a regular basis.

What’s the worst thing about med school? I neglect a lot of aspects of my life since school keeps me so busy. That gets me in trouble quite a lot. What’s the best thing about med school? The clinical years. That moment when you finally start feeling like a doctor and the relevance of the previous year’s work starts to make sense.

What’s your earliest memory? It was in either Oranjemund or the North. Can’t remember how old I was, but I was playing in the sand outside with a couple friends having a fun time when my mom came out the house, stood on the stoep and shouted “Anna, come. It’s time to go to the potty”.

FIRST AID BASICS

WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE FAINTS Step 1 Position the person on his or her back.

Step 2

If the person is breathing, restore blood flow to the brain by raising the person’s legs about 30 cm above heart level.

Step 3

If possible, loosen belts, collars and other constrictive clothing.

Step 4

Call an ambulance/emergency services.

Step 5

Check the person’s airways to be sure its clear, watch for vomiting.

Step 6

Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement).

Step 7

Initiate CPR if no pulse is found, if not familiar with CPR, find someone that knows the procedure.

Step 8

Stay calm and reassure the victim.

FACTS ABOUT FAINTING

Anna L. Hangula MBChB IV etc, etc.

Syncope or fainting can occur in otherwise healthy individuals, more commonly in the elderly. There are several types of syncope.Vasovagal syncope, among the most common, usually has an easily identified triggering event such as emotional stress, trauma, pain, the sight of blood, or prolonged standing. Other types include carotid synus syncope and situational syncope.


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CALVARIUM

Congratulations! Officially Licensed to Deal

SOP CLASS OF 2011 DR: Self−Medication Pharmacist: UNAM School of Pharmacy

Rx# BPharm20112014

sop2011

UNAM School of Medicine & Pharmacy


CALVARIUM No4 17

white coat ceremony and oath taking

The MBChB Class of 2015 received their white coats and pledged the medical student oath on 20 February 2015 at the UNAM SOMP Auditorium.


18 CALVARIUM No4 LECTURER FEATURE

DR C MBANGTANG General Surgeon

Please introduce yourself and include your edDescribe yourself in a few words I’m a man who likes teaching, I’m a father of four and ucational and professional background

My name is Celestine Mbangtang, I’m from Cameroon. I went to a Catholic primary school in my village in the North-West region of Cameroon. And then I went to a boarding secondary school where I did my O and A-levels. I went to medical school at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria where I did my Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery. I did my housemanship (internship) in the North of Nigeria at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital. Immediately after my housemanship, I returned to the University of Ibadan and got a post-graduate degree in Anaesthesia because I was unsure about what to specialize in and my professor of Anaesthesia at Ibadan had told me to come back to his department if I didn’t know what to do. That’s how I got my Diploma in Anaesthesia.

After that, I went home to Cameroon where I worked in a mission hospital in the French part of the country. And there, instead of practicing anaesthesia, I ended up training nurses to do anaesthesia so that I could do surgery because we were doing a lot of surgeries. So, the surgeons there actually convinced me to go into surgery – that’s how I ended up in surgery. I got a scholarship from the Germans who ran the hospital and did my postgraduate Master of Medicine (MMed) in Surgery in Zimbabwe. After completing my MMed in Surgery, I worked in Zimbabwe as a lecturer and a health worker in the teaching hospital there. During that time, I went to Edinburgh in Scotland where I did my Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) and then returned to Zimbabwe. Along the way there was a college of Surgeons in Central and Southern Africa which I joined.

I used to play golf a lot and one of my golf partners was the Botswana High Commissioner to Zimbabwe and he convinced me to go to Botswana, so I went and I lived there for ten years. During that time I developed the Palliative Care Strategy for Botswana, and I also started the only Breast Clinic in the country as well as a Palliative Care Clinic. I also helped develop National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Oncology guidelines for the country, that’s how I also became a member of the NCCN Sub-Saharan Africa. I ended up here at the University of Namibia School of Medicine because of Professor Nyarang’o and Mr. Hadino Hishongwa who was the Namibian High Commissioner to Botswana at the time – we met and became friends; we were always together, actually, even now. So that’s the summary!

I have twin girls your age (22) and I’m trying as much as possible to be supportive to them and when I see my students I always treat them as I would treat my kids. So I give them support as medical students. If you produce a doctor, you should be comfortable having that medical doctor treat you anytime. My passion is to make good doctors of the people I teach, and I learn also from my medical students.

What do you love about your job?

The challenges! The beautiful thing about medicine is that there are different challenges every time you see the patient, even if you come back the next day you’ll find different challenges in that same patient. And medicine always changes – the lecture I gave this year won’t exactly be the same as the lecture I’ll give next year; along the way some things change and those changes won’t be in the textbook.

What kind of challenges do you face as part of your job?

You see, there are several dimensions to a human being. You have the physical dimension about which was what medicine was all about at the beginning; but the fact is that people are understanding more and more about the different dimensions of a human being – and a human being is not only about the physical dimension, but the spiritual, the social and the mental dimensions that make up the sum total of what a human being is. So those challenges are not exact and you cannot know them in one go when you see a patient. You see a patient today and the mood you find the patient in today will not be the same tomorrow. Their mood in the morning will not be the same in the evening because a lot of things would have gone through their minds in between. So those are the challenges that I love about my job.

What are your hobbies – besides golf?

(Laughs) Watching soccer

Which team do you support?

Chelsea

Who inspires you or who do you look up to?

It’s not just one person; there are several people in my life. The first person that put a lot into me was my Neurology professor from back when I was in medical


CALVARIUM No4 19 school in third year. I was the group leader in the class and in Neurology. He said “If you finish medical school and you want to go into practice – even private practice – make sure you pursue postgraduate studies even just for a diploma because it will make you a different doctor”. The second one is a professor in Pathology at Ibadan. He has long retired from Ibadan and is now in Saudi Arabia, we met again two years ago in Durban. Because of the way he used to present and the way he used to relate everything while he taught, when I finished third year I had thought to myself that I’d go into pathology after completing medical school. He introduced us to pathology. But by the time I completed medical school I was thinking of doing psychiatry. There was a psychiatric hospital at which we used to be posted. It was a way out of the state where we were. We used to visit psychiatric patients there and we’d even go to court with patients who had committed murder and had psychiatric assessment. It was so fascinating! That’s why I became confused as to what to specialize in after medical school. These are the people that made me think of medicine as a noble profession, and challenged me to think of the patient not only in the physical dimension but as a sum total of the various dimensions of a human being.

What tricks and techniques do you use to keep yourself organized?

Well, along the way I have done a lot of things involving management – there are certain things, for instance administrative things, which you just put in a file. Before I go to bed I always plan the next day out and I only accommodate other things if they do not interfere with what I have planned for. So going to bed I’d have prepared even the shirt that I’ll be wearing tomorrow.

to a patient that makes them better but it is the way you speak to the patient, the way you accept them as you take the patient and just talking to the patient and touching the patient. Unfortunately, Europeans do not like to be touched but once that European becomes a patient, they will want that touch. It is just unfortunate that with some diseases I have to put on gloves before you touch the patient, but I generally don’t do that if I have to avoid putting on gloves, because that patient just wants that touch. So what I’m trying to say is, for medicine, patients generally want that human touch for their physical, mental, psychological and spiritual health. And when I’m talking about spiritual – there is a difference between spirituality and religion. Spirituality is knowing that everything is interconnected by the energy that a person exudes. Because we know that the brain uses carbohydrates in the form of glucose. That glucose comes from carbohydrates and those carbohydrates come from plants which make it by conversion of that energy from the sun through photosynthesis. As we are talking, we are actually exchanging energy – we are at different energy levels and when our energy levels are high, we are elated, we smile at each other, we talk; when they are low, we lose energy, and when we are angry we lose more energy. So medicine is to see how you can build up that energy in order to relate to the person in front of you. Give the patient positive energy; give the person in front of you positive energy. That is how I look at medicine. A medical doctor is so privileged to be in front of a person who is at low energy levels and can actually gather more energy to the person – that is what I mean by spirituality.

What advice do you have for individuals who would like to pursue studying medicine or specializing in general surgery?

General surgery is one of the specialties that are wide and you’d have to look at every part of the human body. And a general surgeon is supposed to have some idea of what the other subspecialties are doing - he/she must know what the orthopedic surgeon is doing for instance. The most important thing in general surgery is to master your Anatomy and Physiology because that will help put things together, it is also important to master the basics of physical examination. Surgery in general is all about the basics. The stuff that is taught in third year is the same stuff that fails people pursuing post-graduate studies in surgery. Those basics! If you go out of basics, you’ll be lost. That makes the difference between turning the patient into a grave and sending the patient back to work. As for medicine, medicine in general should always take the dimensions of a human being into consideration. Because at times, it is not the drug that you give

CUT HERE


20 CALVARIUM No4

Witnessing people sneaking food into the library, kettles being taken from the hostel and kept in the locker rooms close to the dissection hall, just to be able to make coffee in the middle of the night. Students invest much money into quality coffee and the energy drinks are one of the first items to finish from the cafeteria. It’s another day-before-thetest. The seniors have positively reinforced fears about this particular module and everyone is panicking although some are just not ready to admit it yet... Your eyes are red and your heart is pumping. You’re trying to remembering your physiology about the effects of adrenaline. Your palms are sweating and you feel like the world is caving in. Your mind is filling with ideas on how to get out of another test “Sh*t, I don’t think it’s too late to get another doctor’s letter.” You’re trying to justify why you waited for such a long time to start studying and at the same time not really regretting what you did that weekend. Everyone around you is busy revising what they have studied the night before. After hearing this, you start panicking even more, and ask your friend how far they are, just to be met with a disappointing “I’ve already covered chapter four, five and six. I only have chapter seven left and then I’ll start revising tonight”. Should I pray? How did I get myself into this mess, again? I really need to change my study habits and stop watching so many series! But perhaps I can sneak in just one more episode before I start studying. You are pretty much used to working under pressure, so you prepare your mind for what’s going to be another long night.

Time is ticking, it’s almost 19h00 and you’ve barely covered the first few chapters. You make yourself a big mug of ground coffee. Your Whatsapp group is creating havoc and old question papers are being sent to you from everywhere. The clowns on the Whatsapp group have left you with another trail of pictures to delete. You’re confused about whether to study the old question papers or to continue with the rest of the chapter.

It’s 21H00 and you are hungry, it’s time for a break. Rice in a bowl and water, plus the microwave. Works every time. Prepared in about 15 minutes and you are ready to eat. You eat quickly and get back to your books. It’s past 01H00 and you’ve surprised yourself by how much you have covered in the short span of time. You’ve managed to persuade yourself into targeting around the 60 percent mark, slowly giving up on 80. You’re asking yourself if you will remember it all but you continue studying anyways till about 04H00. You’ve managed to finish, EUREKA! The final deed, to look at your timetable and decide for yourself which of the first few subjects are worth missing. You prepare your jammies and dive into bed. Lights out and good morning.


CALVARIUM No4 21


22 CALVARIUM No4

volleyball for all 2015 This year’s Volleyball for All tournament was held on Saturday, 7 February 2015 at the DTS Sport Grounds and UNAM School of Medicine and Pharmacy had four teams participating: Scalpels, Sartorius, Pronators and Beta Blockers. As promised, this was a fun filled day of volleyball, playing against many other teams and supporting Windhoek events. We are extremely proud to announce that one of our teams, the Scalpels, went through to the finals and placed third overall! This is a wonderful achievement for our School and we will continue with our tradition, led by the SRC Sports portfolio, and hopefully represent UNAM again next year to defend our position. We would like to thank everyone who came to support us and we invite the other Windhoek UNAM students to join us next year!


CALVARIUM No4 23

UNAM Diabetes Association (UNAMDA), one of the youngest associations on campus, made its debut on 14 November 2014, World Diabetes Day. UNAMDA’s mission is to provide holistic services for all of our members through an interactive, safe and educational environment, as well as promote diabetes prevention, rehabilitation and awareness. We are affiliated with other UNAM societies and have the luxury of nurturing international sponsors and partnerships. UNAMDA celebrated 2014’s national diabetes day by dividing our work force and tackling a school outreach, mall visits, a radio interview as well as paying our main campus a visit. The year’s theme was to promote healthy lifestyles in order to prevent diabetes. All in all, it was a success, as the UNAMDA team took to the public, raising awareness in the spirit of good health. The school outreach challenged our creative skills as we used an informative skit to dazzle the primary school kids. UNAM Radio welcomed us to their studio which allowed us to disseminate information on a larger scale. The mall visit was highly interactive, demanding people skills and friendly caring encouragement. At the mall and UNAM main campus, we put our training to the test and commenced low budget, low radius screening. We set up shop and tested as many peoples’ blood sugar levels as our equipment supply allowed. Our active involvement in the community and knowledge of the physical proof of an otherwise unseen illness was met with positive response from the public, resulting in our counselling being more beneficial and appreciated. UNAMDA will continue with these forms of intervention throughout the year and include public lectures, not to mention our end of year event.

Lene Le Roux

Vice President: UNAMDA

The Music, Arts and Drama Society, also known as MADSOC, is a newly established SRC initiative under the guidance of the SRC Sub-Committee Representative for Culture that consists of six clubs. These clubs are the Chess Club, the Arts and Sketching Club, the Debate Team, the Music Club, the Theatre and Dance Club, and the Linguistics Unit. The main aim of the society is to bring students together with the interest of acquiring new skills, learning, experiencing and sharing.

The society is the first of its kind at the School of Medicine and Pharmacy. It provides students with the opportunity to share and learn from one another. By offering a number of extra-curricular activities such as guitar lessons, Oshiwambo lessons, a chance to be part of the chess team, debate team or the choir; it is a great way for students in different year groups to interact and to ensure that no one feels left out. MADSOC aims to provide students with a platform to truly express themselves, learn and grow culturally as one should at university, and provide a release from the stresses of school work. The society has identified gaps in the students’ learning experience at the University of Namibia and through student to student interaction is determined to provide some relief. The governing body of the society, also referred to as The Council, consists of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and six representatives, one from each club in the society. The Council is a highly dedicated team of UNAM SOM/P students who work tirelessly to ensure that the society remains well organised and functions properly. At the end of the day, this society was founded on the basis of students helping students; by us for us.

Seuna Karuaihe SRC: Culture

House Sciatica is a student society which acts as a day residence for students who live off campus. This is a unique organization that aims to rise up and become one of the strongest entities in UNAM School of Medicine and Pharmacy without being limited to a building. Although we are still young, we plan to host mutual intercampus events that will mark us as equal in the academic, sports, cultural and social fields. As one of our main objectives we strive to encourage the participation of all our members. We have thus far started our chapter in the betterment of our campus not just socially, but in the lifting of positive spirits between the current hostel block and its new block in spirit, House Sciatica.

Michal Rossouw

President: House Sciatica

New Societies


24 CALVARIUM No4 WHITE COAT EDITION

SUIT UP. SCORE CHICKS. BE AWESOME! The Playbook was originally written by Barney Stinson of How I Met Your Mother. It elaborates how Barney, through a series of plays, scores girls on a regular basis, i.e. every scam, con, hustle, hoodwink, gambit, flimflam, stratagem, and bamboozle he’s ever attempted to pick up chicks with varying degrees of success. Here, we present a similar initiative of plays adapted especially for the single SOMP Bro to attempt. So SUIT UP…In your white coat, we mean…

THE SRC/SOCIETY PRESIDENT

Prime Targets Chicks attracted to power

Requirements Firm handshake, good academic record, keen brownnosing skills

Disadvantages Campaigning is hard work and if elected you have to actually do the work

The Play Run for SRC president or, for slightly less responsibility, the presidency of a society. If that fails, create your own society and declare yourself president because you started it. Proceed to score chicks. Why it Works Women are drawn to power and short of graduating and becoming head of department at whatever health facility you work for or the Minister for Health, being SRC or society president is as close as you get.

THE AUTHOR

Prime Targets Bookish chicks Requirements None

Disadvantages You may need to know something about the book

The Play If you have your eye on a co-ed hottie and she’s in the library reading/studying (preferably Netter’s Atlas), go up to her and ask how she likes the book. Make sure you are dressed all formal and then BAM! Hold out your hand and introduce yourself as the author, Frank Netter. Trust me, this will score you an anatomy study date so you can explain to her how you drew all those images in the atlas by hand.

THE “I’M TRANSFERRING TO ENGINEERING”

Prime Targets Sympathetic chicks, chicks who don’t want to see their fellow student quit

Requirements None, but works best after writing a hefty test

The Play Sit by the benches in front of the cafeteria or another place where your target is sure to pass by. Make sure you’re looking dejected. When she’s about to pass emit several dramatic sighs in order to draw her attention. When she asks you what’s wrong, tell her you’re switching to Engineering. This will lead her to try and convince you to stay and BAM! you’re in. Agree to give it another shot and ask her to tutor you.

THE JOHN’S FRIEND

Prime Targets All women Requirements None

Disadvantages If she asks “Which John?”

The Play Walk up to the girl. Tell her it’s great to see her again and that you’re sorry, but you can’t remember her name. When she says she doesn’t know you, tell her you’re John’s friend. Literally everyone knows a John.

Why it Works She’ll feel bad about forgetting you. At the very least, she’ll continue asking you questions about how you know John in the hopes that it will jog her memory. You’ll have to be a pro at conjuring up some elaborate tale of friendship between you and this fictional John.


CALVARIUM No4 25 SOMP STUDENT

THE KIDNEY SCHEME

Prime Targets Big-hearted chicks, nursing students

HACKS

Requirements Hospital bracelet, trusted wingman The Play Put on the hospital bracelet. Once you’ve identified your target, flash your arm until she notices the bracelet and asks. Tell her you’ve just donated one of your kidneys to your best friend. Wave to your wingman and have him wave back.

THE HEIMLICH MANEUVER

Prime Targets All women but especially SOMP ladies after that first aid course

Requirements Piece of braai vleis, which makes the next society/social braai an ideal location to carry this out

Disadvantages Wasting a piece of braai vleis and there’s also the risk that you might accidentally really choke yourself The Play Once you’ve spotted your target move in closer to her and once in range pretend to start choking on a piece of meat in front of her. After she performs the Heimlich or pats you on the back or even touches you, spit out the meat and gasp for air. Grab her hand and looking into her eyes reverently explain how she’s saved your life and you owe her a life debt. Proceed to follow her everywhere until she caves.

is just a great story someone ruined with the truth BARNEY STINSON

> > > > > > > > > >

A LIE

The I-Don’t-Really-Have-Time-to-Read-Long-Things Version

HIGH

IMPORTANCE

Disadvantages You’ll need to refresh your renal anatomy and physiology

LOW

Befriend a lecturer, a guard, a librarian, and a final year student. Talk to them often! Print out your lecture notes, 6 per page. Remember: if you’re early, you’re on time; if you’re on time, you’re late; if you’re late, don’t show up. Repetition is key. Build up your CA in the beginning of the semester when classes are easier. Find yourself a reliable study group. If you don’t understand something, YouTube is almost always your solution. Have a Q&A session after studying. Pay close attention to what the lecturers dwell on or repeat frequently in class. Use the table below to get some work done.

URGENCY

1 2 3 4

Urgent and important

Important not urgent

Do it now

Decide when

Urgent not important

Not important not urgent

Delegate it

Dump it

LOW


26 CALVARIUM No4


CALVARIUM No4 27

WHAT ARE YOUR REASONS FOR SK PPING CLASS? “Skipping class to plan a beer Olympics. It’s been a long week; I deserve the Turn-up!” “Whenever the thought of skipping class even comes to my mind, I usually do. It’s like ‘Oops I thought it, it must execute it. No going back now’.”

“Because I refuse to watch a lecturer read the presentation. I can mos def do that on my own in my room.” “Mentally preparing myself for the next class.”

“I need to go to the hospital and finish my log book!” “I went to the hostel to go pick something up; I saw my bed and decided to rest for just 5min...50min… 2hrs (later).” “It’s Friday; Friday is free day, free from all work. Leave me alone and let my weekend start.”

“My bed and the movies are keeping me hostage.”

“Winter is coming. Therefore it’s super difficult to get outta bed. My bed is warm and comfy. If you do not know this, then “Because the temperature outside is you know nothing Jon Snow.” “Skipping class to mourn the death of Derek Shepherd, you know? McDreamy?”

higher than my CA. So I might as well keep it low.” “Skipping class to study for the same class that I am skipping, trust me, it makes all the sense in the world.” “My concentration span can’t stretch another 60 min.”

“We were doing/observing a real interesting procedure in theatre. Class is every day; rare procedures are not.”

“I was assisting in theatre. Ain’t nobody got time for class when you’re assisting!”

“I gotta run to town and deal with Home Affairs/go to the bank before it closes.”

“Class was supposed to be cancelled; but was told 5 min before the time that it’s back on. I live way too far away to drive all the way back to school (and waste of petrol).”

“Haven’t seen my significant other in forever!”

“Uhm, isn’t that what all the students do?”

“I’m so used to it now, I don’t even always have a reason... I “I’m purposefully leaving class and think I’m a pathological bun- going to forcefully find something ker.” else to occupy my time.” “The conversation we’re having in the cafe right now is too juicy! I can’t miss out on it just ‘cause there’s class.” “I’m just straight up lazy.”


28 CALVARIUM No4 Nothing says welcome to varisty better than that first

TEST SHOCK Nadine Mouton & Nasim Tekie

Every year the Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy receive an intake of first years from different parts of Namibia and the world alike. These are usually students that have been top of their classes’ therefore academic confidence is a common trait among them. The first test in medical school however has the tendency to bring us all down to earth. Dating back to my days as a freshman, after several weeks of lectures, the time had come for us to write our first block test and Biochemistry I happened to be the module. As freshman, we were quite nervous and all could spot us around campus with our notebooks and tome textbooks in preparation for the big day.

‘How to study?’ was the question on everybody’s lips. Should one preserve the old high school methodology or adapt a new varsity technique? On the test day, we all arrived early, received our papers and got started. Much to our surprise, the test was much easier than we had anticipated. The down-side was that none of us had studied the easy stuff as we had all focused on the more challenging material which did not come up in the test.

After the test everybody looked confident; I myself thought I had buried it. However, all this changed a week or so later on when we received our test scores. Disappointment and confusion was all you could see on everybody’s face, the test had buried most if not all of us. It was time to refocus: instead of sulking and staying down, the majority of us rather saw this as a wakeup call; it was time for us to adapt and develop a new and effective technique of studying.

first year edition

I talked to several colleagues in relation to our first Biochemistry I test and the majority claim to have done very well. However, some say this might be due to the fact that the Biochemistry paper was repeated, but all we know is that the first test in medical school is always a killer.


CALVARIUM No4 29

FIrst Year Bash A fun and educational day was prepared for the First Years as a ‘Welcome Bash’ to the School of Medicine and to the USSS. The event was held at Urban Camp on 14 March 2015. The First Years divided themselves into teams and battled each other against time and accuracy in different activities. There were 4 stations with different tasks - suturing a banana, doing CPR on a dummy, taking the vitals of a live patient, scrubbing in for theatre and so much more. They definitely learnt a lot; needless to say, the observing seniors had a great time laughing themselves silly watching all their mistakes. The day winded off with a chill session, swimming and braai.

usss The USSS organized a Back-to-Basics Workshop on 9 May 2015 to teach, help improve and/or increase confidence in performing the basic skills mostly needed in Casualty. There were 3 stations each comprising of a short lecture, a demonstration of the skill and an opportunity for the students to practice. Students were taught on: Scrubbing: the proper method of putting on scrubs, gowns, gloves etc. and remaining as sterile as possible; as well as the etiquette/do’s & don’ts when scrubbed in. Suturing: theory/information on the different needle types used in suturing as well as the threads - when to use which and what; the techniques of continuous & interrupted sutures were taught [as well as an added bonus of the one-hand surgical knot - complements of Prof. Labib!] ICD: The indications and exact method of inserting an intercostal chest drain as well as removing it correctly.

workshop


30 CALVARIUM No4

SURV

IVING

THE S EQUE L


CALVARIUM No4 31


32 CALVARIUM No4

shirts friday

PSSN. Passionate about medicines.

As Dr Adorka always emphasizes on us being “chest-out” pharmacists, our own take on Casual Friday came about as a way of showing that we can dress casually, look marvelous while doing so and still shine as the ‘chest-out’ pharmacists we are. One Friday a month we all put on our Excellence T-shirts and proudly convey our stance as PSSN members.

public lecture: do i want to be a surgeon?

Do I (really) want to be a surgeon? A question that many students have asked themselves or are bound to ask themselves during their medical course. Dr A. Sallah-Tjirongo, the speaker who presented the lecture on 21 April 2015, outlined and made clear exactly what it takes to be a successful surgeon. The ACGME 6 competencies to be a surgeon as well as the attributes a person needs such as behaviour, appearance & attitude, professionalism, balance and many more. An inspiring message to motivate us during the stress, burn-out and moments when we question our sanity for choosing this gruelling path.

Megameno

Children’s Home This SCORA annual was held on 25 April 2015. The event sees students visit the local orphanage in Katutura, Megameno Children’s Home, in order to spend time with the children. This year, as always, we played fun games, painted faces and had a braai with the children.


CALVARIUM No4 33

The NEW NAMIBIAN JOURNAL of MEDICINE ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Convenient Phobias for SOMP Students (That We Really Didn’t Make Up This Time Because They Exist) A reason to miss out on Biostats for most of the semester Arithmophobia: the fear of numbers generally, but can also refer to the fear of math, numerals, certain numbers, calculations, and/or calculus When you’re just not in the mood to do anything

Ergophobia: the fear of work

For the hostel student who needs an excuse not to cross the road to come to school Agyrophobia: the fear of streets or crossing the street even when there is no traffic

For those who commute to school and don’t want to make the journey

Amaxophobia: The fear of riding in cars

For when you don’t want to write that test Scriptophobia: the fear of writing in public

The reason why you only study the day before the test Skip that cardiovascular physiology test Cardiophobia: the fear of the heart

Bacillophobia and Bacteriophobia: the fear of microbes and bacteria respectively

The reason why you never set foot in the library Bibliophobia: the fear of books

When you hear a cold front is coming in and want a reasonable excuse not to get out of bed

How to get out of that Paeds rotation

Cheimaphobia/Psychrophobia: the fear of cold

A legitimate excuse to drop out of med school when you’ve had enough

Chronomentrophobia: the fear of clocks

Paedophobia: the fear of children

Iatrophobia: fear of doctors (or of going to the doctor)

How to get out of doing phlebotomies

Blood-injection-injury type phobia: phobia group that includes trypanophobia (the fear of injections); hemophobia (the fear of blood) and the fear of invasive medical procedures

You’re consistently late because you refuse to have an alarm clock in your room You’re definitely not specializing in Gynae Eurotophobia: the fear of female genitalia

All those medical terms

Hellenologophobia: the fear of complex scientific terminology (or Greek terms)

PHOBIAS GET-OUT-OF-JAIL FREE

Amnesiphobia: the fear of amnesia

The reason why you’re never keen on microbiology practicals


34 CALVARIUM No4

3D Organ Bio− Printing, 2014

Targeted Cancer Therapies, 2000

Stem Cell Research, 2006

Human Genome Project, 2003

Heart in a Box, 2011

10

GREAT MEDICAL INNOVATIONS OF THE 21ST CENTURY

The heart in a box is a system designed to keep donor hearts functioning at a near physiologic state while awaiting a recipient. The heart is kept at an appropriate temperature and perfused with oxygen and nutrient-rich blood. With the new method the heart can be kept alive for at least 24 hours versus the old method where the heart had to be transplanted within 4 hours to remain viable. The International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium first published the full sequence of human genes in 2003, a revolutionary point for medicine as we know it. The publication housed the blueprints for constructing human cells and enabled new ways of preventing, treating and curing disease. This information enables us to study genes to find which ones are mutated or absent in disorders and also view the effects of certain drugs on certain genes. Sometimes referred to as regenerative medicine, stem cell research looks at the utilisation of pluripotent cells (cells that have the ability to become or differentiate into any tissue in the body) to regenerate or grow sections of human tissue, such as a trachea, an ear or even a section of skin, therefore reducing the need for donor transplantation of some of these tissues. Do you ever listen? One of these days we’ll have to grow you an ear! A type of cancer treatment that makes use of drugs to precisely identify and attack cancer cells, while doing little damage to the surrounding normal tissue. Simply put, the chemotherapeutic agents are now ‘targeted’ at certain parts of the cancer cells e.g. the biochemical pathways, molecules or mutant proteins that cause the rapid growth and spread of cancer.

Bio-printing is a type of regenerative medicine, where human organs that mimic the structure and function of native body tissues are constructed using a 3D printer. The printer uses tiny building blocks of human tissue to build 3-dimensional organs.


CALVARIUM No4 35

HPV Vaccine, 2010

First partial transplant in 2005, first full transplant in 2008. This surgical procedure replaces all or part of a person’s face. The successful completion of the first surgery brought hope to facial burns and facial trauma patients.

Telesurgery, 2001

The Stribild Pill, 2013

Bionic Limbs, 2014

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is targeted at the number one cause of cervical cancer in women. Its discovery marked the dawn of a large scale reduction in the number of cases of this cancer. HPV only causes cervical cancer in females but is also attributed to anal cancer in males and genital warts in both genders.

Face Transplants 2005−2008

Leonardo Da Vinci once said “the heart moves... of itself and does not stop unless forever.” And while that may have been true then, this is the 21st century. Hearts stop for 4 hours and resume working normally in different bodies. It’s a new day and age and not only for the calendar maker but also for Medicine man. Let’s take a look at what we would rank as the top 10 greatest medical and pharmaceutical advancements and inventions of the twenty first century.

The bionic limb or prosthetic limb 2.0 is an artificial limb that responds to muscular signals via the use of electrodes and thus enable the user to regain a more satisfactory function of the severed limb than with rigid prosthetics.

Also called “the HIV cocktail” Stribild is a fixed dose combination drug that contains 4 ARV drugs (Elevitgravir, Cobicistat, Emitricitabine and Tenofovir) in one. The tablet is also only consumed once a day which would improve adherence significantly as there is a reduction in the number of times a day and amount of tablets the patient has to take. Or robotic surgery, where the surgeon doesn’t have to be in the same room as the patient to operate on them. Telesurgery makes use of cutting edge communication technologies, enabling the surgeon to control the robot operating from a remote location.


36 CALVARIUM No4

Awards

CEREMONY

As per tradition, PSSN hosts an award ceremony each year to recognize the outstanding students in and out of the scope of study as well as appreciating the lecturers who dedicate their time and energy to pass down the knowledge that they have to their students. The night was filled with laughter, joy and appreciation as we saw our Deans Profs. Rennie and Nyarango rock it away on the dance floor with the students, a sight that had to be seen to be believed. The evening was more than successful and PSSN really showed that they setting the bar very high.

PSSN. Excellence we inspire.

DAY CELEBRATION UNAM SOMP celebrated Namibia’s 25th Independence Day with a talk by Adv. JR Walters on Youth Leadership and our role in Unity as a Nation. As Adv. Walters said:

“After 25 years of Independence, in a country of peace, stability, justice and liberty I wish to conclude by saying: Long live the Republic of Namibia Long live the Namibian Nation”.

Thank you to all students who attended, who bought Namibian Flag Buffs and wore their traditional wear the Friday before!


CALVARIUM No4 37

OxfordRounds Medical BNF68 Figure Daily TED 1Handbooks Knowledge − Medical for Doctors Cases Lankerspoon MedHand Figure Doctors TED Conferences 1for Inc. Mobile Daily Technologies Libraries Rounds LLC Full version U$44.36 Free U$46.14 (N$40 from 081 286 0493) Platform:

Medical The Figure A new different British 1, journal students thebest National app Oxford that that have provides Formulary Clinical has the taken habit challenging Handbook − the of an that medical This app is for the junior years Apps important world and concentrating peer provide by storm. reviewed handbook easy most What browsing, clinical that can their can be cases energy described navigation be termed with and as are slowly starting toof get exposed toand thetime reading "the as MCQs. on ‘Instagram’ studies Bible" Topics at lightning and for are for pharmacists. don’t curated doctors fast concern speed. and byHowever, well−renowned themselves ‘porn’ A magnitude forinstead sometimes confusing medical terminology. of the doctors with information information inittheir Medical as all aeasy different handbook, from atprofessionals the non−medical tap specialities. itofcomes awith finger. capture sources. asIt’s an It It’shaving apublic. quick and reference givesshare app and specifically TED for (Technology, clear easy images concise helpful browsing Entertainment ofclinical intheir preparing andpatients’ reading. management for and rare Once exams Design) descriptions of thousands of terms as well as downloaded and that has afascinating advice we vast don’t number which on write your conditions isofinpractical device, speakers Namibia with noand to[USMLE; that internet their implement give the methods of management treatment. at bed-side. connection colleagues Medical short "lectures"/talks across is Entrance Another required thegreat Exams on globe. fordifferent use. reference and Doctors more]. topics. guide can Simple toPGunderstand making it easier toIt is specially The comment completely There app areprovides made on thousands free theeasy with images up−to−date, and ofnoinspiring in−app and understandable give practical purchases; talks advice on remember. for subscription guidance possible no from student business diagnoses. onuse. prescribing, gurus, &Perfect noThe advertisements. tech for app dispensing geniuses, use hasinbrought hospital; music and It has especially administering about bonus legends, controversy information remarkable when medicines. being as of minds drug theassaulted question Itlists and alsoand many includes with ofdrug ethics more. questions guidance and interactions. Students patient should on byconfidentiality the Aa consultant highly drug definitely management recommended and take is frequently needing theof time app. toto find quick common challenged. listen to aconditions answers. few Therefore, of theastalks well share every asimages their nowcontra− with and indications, caution then to help (anddoses stimulate consent!). and side−effects. and broaden their An excellent resource knowledge (other than guide medical). for pharmacy These are students ideas definitely (specifically worth 2nd spreading. − 4th years) as well as medical students. *BNF 64 available for Windows Phone


38 CALVARIUM No4

BLOOD DRIVE Once again, the Blood Drive initiative, hosted by SCOPH of MESANA in association with the Namibian Blood Transfusion Service, was held on 24 March 2015. This regular event sees the NAMBTS come to the School every 2 months to allow those that want to donate blood to do so. This year, cupcakes were on offer for first time donors.

TB DAY

Held in collaboration with the Veterinary School from Neudam Campus, MESANA hosted a small lecture for TB Day at the School of Medicine and Pharmacy on 24 March 2015. The keynote lecture was presented by Dr Charles Ntahonshikira, a lecturer from Neudam.

Fellowship EASTER

The Easter event marked one of the biggest activities planned by CMF this semester. Easter is the holiday that celebrates and commemorates the central event of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his death by crucifixion. All major branches of Christianity observe the holiday. Attendance was amazing and most important of all several people gave their lives to Christ. The outcome was surely worth the effort put in and the souls that were present were simply amazing and blessed. Thanks to the Almighty God for making the event possible and everyone else that took part in it in any way.


CALVARIUM No4 39


CALVARIUM 2015


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