Perception Lecture with The Nott Foundation
Perception lectures are geared to inform, to educate and inspire pupils about some of the incredible work that is being undertaken around the world. Dr Balasubramanian is Chair of Perception and manages this high-profile lecture series at Charterhouse. This week, he shifted focus from research, to humanitarian work, to present our pupils with insights into the inner workings of the Nott Foundation.
Dr. Balasubramanian, Chair of Perception
It was an incredible opportunity for us to be able to host both Rebecca McLoughlin, who is Head of Donor Relations at the Nott Foundation and Harry Fletcher, Programmes Officer at the Foundation, who has a background in International Relations, and helps with humanitarian efforts and promoting the organisation.
During Rebecca McLoughlin's lecture on ‘Leaving a Legacy in a War Zone’, we learnt about some about some of the unique training opportunities offered to doctors who are training in the middle of a conflict or catastrophe zone. Harry Fletcher answered questions from the floor about the lesser known aspects of the Foundation such as the 'behind the scenes' of running and promoting the Foundation as well as the insights into recruiting new interns.
The Nott Foundation has many different ways in which war surgeons are trained to treat casualties of war in their home countries. For example, we heard from Ms McLoughlin a particularly moving story about a young female doctor in Libya, who managed to save a young victim’s life due to the quick thinking and skills she learnt in the course delivered by the Nott Foundation. Additionally, there are many young doctors globally who are trained to help deliver fast, effective and life saving treatment. For example, one of the ways in which surgeons are trained is by using a cadaver. The cadaver is so lifelike that it can be used as a visual aid to help doctors study the anatomy of the body in full. Despite the training being offered in the UK and within areas of conflict, many of these young war surgeons opt to stay in their home countries, as they view it as their duty to serve and give back to their country.
Surgical training in progress using ‘Heston’, an advanced biological model representing the human body
During the COVID-19 pandemic, its not been possible for the training to be delivered in person, so only through online lectures and seminars can the future war surgeons train. This has in itself proved to be a tough challenge in such unprecedented and uncertain times, making the treatment of patients in a war or catastrophe even harder than ever before. Such work ought to be highly commended and such medical personnel could perhaps even be seen as heroes.
The Nott Foundation was created after Dr David Nott worked as a volunteer providing humanitarian aid with the help of agencies, for example, Syria Relief and the International Committee of the Red Cross, annually to countries in the midst of conflict, or which had suffered terrible natural catastrophes. Ranging from Eastern Asia in Nepal to the Middle East in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, to Gaza, Chad in Africa, Haiti, in North America and Bosnia in Europe.
After Dr Nott was both shocked and appalled by what he saw in these areas of desperate need, he was inspired to bring more help and to specially train medical staff and surgeons to these areas, to provide specialised treatment in the midst of a war zone.
Dr Nott on one of his travels, where his humanitarian work has helped to transform the lives of those afflicted by instability and war
Dr David Nott is also an established figure in the field of medicine, where he specialises in laparoscopic surgery, was the first surgeon to combine both laparoscopic and vascular surgery, and has also published a number of papers in prestigious scientific journals. For example, publishing findings about COVID-19 and the response of vulnerable people affected by conflict in the world-famous medical journal, ‘The Lancelet.’
Dr Nott also wrote an incredibly moving book entitled, ‘War Doctor,’ about his experiences on the front line and some particularly unique cases he witnessed and was a part of.
The reading of Dr Nott’s book is where the back story behind the idea for this lecture begins. After being recommended to read, ‘War Doctor,’ by one of my friends, also an aspiring doctor, I decided that I should try to step outside my comfort area and read a surgeon's memoir about, not just planned surgery, but surgery and medical procedures which take place in the middle of chaos in a conflict zone, or an area of catastrophe. Whilst reading, I did have a certain impression that, not just in surgery, but in the conflicts around us, we are always reminded of the unpredictable.
The Nott Foundation and its core mission
Inspired by Dr Nott’s hard-hitting memoir, I was keen to hear from someone within the Nott Foundation who would present me, and indeed everyone who joined the lecture last week, the rare opportunity to gain insights into the inner workings of this incredible organisation in war-torn zones, the importance of training doctors and surgeons in treating and saving lives of those afflicted in such unstable regions, and how we as fellow human beings can get involved, directly or indirectly, in this humanitarian legacy.
We extend our gratitude to both Ms McLoughlin & Mr Fletcher and give thanks to Dr Balasubramanian, who has continued to provide the academic and intellectual platform upon which we can develop our personal interests, our perspectives on the world, and our aspirations for the future.
Article by:
Maja (Year 13 Pupil)
With thanks from:
Dr. Ganesh Balasubramanian (Chair - Perception)
