The floating hospital: Health without borders

Teacher notes

This lesson is aimed at KS3/KS4 and explores healthcare on an international hospital ship, the Africa Mercy. Dr Odry, a volunteer surgeon on board, shares her decision to stay in Benin and the African continent to improve healthcare systems from within. There is a focus on international cooperation and development and volunteering; and wider discussion of health inequalities in this context (access to surgery in particular). You might like to explore these complimentary Lyfta resources and lesson plan to deepen students’ understanding of health inequalities: - Article: ‘A global goal for health’ in Catching Babies: Mexico. - The lesson plan ‘Health inequalities: SDG3’ which explores the interconnectedness of the SDGs with a focus on maternal health. **National Curriculum objectives:** KS3 Geography: Understand global development and health inequalities, including factors affecting access to healthcare and the use of development indicators. KS4 Geography: Analyse global patterns of development and inequality, linking health outcomes to social, economic, and environmental factors, and evaluate SDGs as solutions. KS3 PSHE L11. different types and patterns of work, including employment, self-employment and voluntary work; that everyone has a different pathway through life, education and work. KS3 Science – Working Scientifically / Human Health – Understanding how medical treatment and healthcare systems support human health, and how professionals work together to deliver patient care. KS3 Citizenship - Learning about volunteering, charitable organisations and global humanitarian work, including how teams support communities with limited healthcare access. KS3 English - Reading and discussing informational non-fiction texts, developing subject vocabulary related to health and development, and responding to reflective questions about roles and skills.