Brigade Travels

By Summer Meza

A U.S. doctor, medicine, and equipment are all brought to Ghana by the Global Medical Brigades, which are constantly packed and repacked as the troop travels to various locations. Several Ghanaian doctors are also hired to stay at the clinic for a week.

GMB is the world's largest global health and sustainable development program, with chapters in universities across the world. Their goal is to improve health in under-resourced communities in countries and areas in need of medical support.

The Santa Clara chapter of GMB is about 30 members strong, and has been active for five years. These 30 students have spent the majority of the school year fundraising, raising awareness and training for the culminating event of the club: a trip across the world to Ghana.

In Ghana, students of GMB will work in makeshift clinics and pharmacies, distributing medications and giving basic healthcare education to the patients who may not have access to any other doctors or treatments. While this kind of volunteer work is incredibly rewarding, the week long trip is also exhausting.

"We visit a different location every day," said GMB president Keele Shaw. "Over the course of the trip we see about 1,000 patients total."

Taking on that many patients takes a great deal of hard work, not to mention resources and medical expertise.

The students who are a part of the brigade spend each day in the pharmacies and clinics that have been set up in local schools, churches, or community centers and spend long hours distributing vitamins and medicines, as well as using their training in medical procedures such as taking blood pressures and checking to gain experience with hands-on medical practices and shadowing of certified doctors.

Another aspect of the brigade is medical education. The education committee of GMB gives seminars for patients to sit in on that teaches hygiene and basic skills that can be helpful in maintaining general health.

The patient interactions are, to some students, the most rewarding part of the trip.

"These people are so grateful for our help, because realistically, even if they had access to the treatments they need, they often can't afford them," said Shaw. "It's a huge gift."
Not all of the members of GMB are studying medicine or public health. In fact, a good portion of them are biology majors, and many are in majors that are unrelated to global health or education.

Because English is widely spoken in Ghana, the members of GMB do not need to speak a second language in order to make a difference across the globe.

The students going on the brigade are simply all passionate about helping the underpriviledged and using their abilities to be a part of a long-term, sustainable project aiding others.
In the five years of GMB's presence at Santa Clara, over 4,000 patients have been given medication and treatment. In addition, this year's brigade will spend two days working on a water purification project to support the environment as well as the people in Ghana.

Students who wish to help out in this year's brigade can come help at their upcoming mock clinic, donate funds, participate in any of the many fundraising events, or plan to apply for next year's trip.

Contact Summer Meza at sameza@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.