LOCHABER
The guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Lochaber’s business lunch meeting on September 20 was retired surgeon from the Belford Hospital David Sedgwick, who spoke about support for surgical training in Palestine, Gaza and, more specifi- cally, in Rwanda. David gave members an update brieflng on progress being made, through the Edinburgh College of Surgeons, in the delivery of its basic surgical skills course (BSS) aimed at training and equipping the local faculty to become trainers themselves. In April this year, Rwanda marked the 24th anniversary of the genocide in which around 800,000 of its civilians died and this desperately poor nation is now moving beyond these dreadful times. The BSS course is just one small part in helping to achieve national unity and peace. David explained that the objective was to gradually pass responsibility for teaching on to the Rwandan staff but this needed funding and he expressed his appreciation of the ongoing support from the rotary club. President Iain Johnston thanked David for his deeply interesting talk and, on behalf of the club, past president Ken Johnston said: ‘Our club is proud to be associated with the great work you and your colleagues are doing in Rwanda and we will continue to support you.’ Members responded with warm applause.
PLOCKTON