World Immunisation Week

This week is World Immunisation Week - an initiative of the World Health Organisation, which aims to promote vaccines as one of the most powerful tools available for good health.

I have yet to see this featured in the mainstream UK media, in contrast to the widespread coverage that has been given to the on-going measles outbreak in South Wales. To date there have been over 800 reported cases of measles with 77 people requiring hospital treatment. Special clinics are now being held to vaccinate those children whose parents had previously decided not to have them immunised and there is much debate about the pros and cons of childhood vaccinations.

The reality is that vaccines save lives and I have been privileged to work for two organisations that are involved, in different ways, in delivering this life-saving health care in Africa.

MAF frequently fly vaccines and health workers into remote areas, which would otherwise take days to reach by road. This is a crucial part of the 'cold-chain' as it is necessary for the vaccines to be kept cold, if they are to be usable when they reach their destination. Keeping anything cold in the heat of countries like Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo or South Sudan is a huge challenge and so speed of delivery is key.

Medair send the health workers to the remote communities with the vaccines, where they train local people to travel from village to village where they ensure as many children as possible are vaccinated. It requires dedication and perseverance to reach some of these people but the effort is well worth the reward of lives saved.

To read the story of just one of these vaccination campaigns click here. 

What do you do all day?

This is a question I have often been asked whilst I have been recovering from surgery. So here are some of the more memorable TV programmes, movies and books I have enjoyed over the last couple of months.

Homeland (Series 2). A gripping story of America's 'war on terror' with many unexpected twists and turns. It keeps you on the edge of your seat right to the very end (provided you can get through the bad language and 'scenes of a sexual nature').

Borgen (Series 1). You have to concentrate on this subtitled Danish-language political drama but it's worth the effort. A fascinating depiction of coalition government, the relationship between politicians and the media and the impact of power (and the pursuit of power) on someone's personal life.

Miranda (Series 1 - 3). Daft but fun sitcom from Miranda Hart that makes me laugh out loud.

The Help. I'm usually reluctant to watch a film of a book I have enjoyed but this is a good adaptation of the novel by Kathryn Stockett. The main characters (and particularly the help) are portrayed with dignity and humanity.

The Artist. An easy to watch film (no complex dialogue to follow!) as a star of the silent screen tries to come to terms with the change that the new talking movies are bringing.

Beasts of the Southern Wild. Fantasy drama about a little girl struggling to survive in the harsh conditions of poverty-stricken southern USA.

The Descendants. It's a George Clooney film - what's not to like...?!!

Life of Pi by Yann Martel. I read this after I had seen the film and both are great in different ways. The film is visually stunning in the same way that the book beautifully describes the story of a teenage boy ship-wrecked with just a Bengal tiger for company. 

Swahili for the Broken-Hearted by Peter Moore. This story of one man's journey from Cape Town to Cairo is not the best travel book I've ever read but it did take me back to Africa for a short while.

The 100-Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. A fun story of one man's long and event-filled life told in a series of flashbacks after he goes on the run from his own 100th birthday party.

If you haven't already seen or read any of these it's worth finding some time for them. Enjoy!