During her time as a young medical student, Dr. Michelle Cole undertook an unforgettable foreign elective placement in Africa.

Her experiences there made such a lasting impression on her that afterwards she always vowed to one day return as a qualified doctor to undertake voluntary work.

In April and May of this year, the former pupil of Saundersfoot School and Greenhill School, Tenby, fulfilled that ambition, working at the Hospital Ravoahangy, Andrianavalona, Madagascar.

And now Michelle, daughter of Steve and Pam Cole, of Pentlepoir, is hoping to lend another helping hand by setting up a fundraising appeal for the facility.

As part of that appeal, a coffee morning is being organised by her aunt, Joy Ford-Kicinski, on Saturday, October 29, to help Michelle raise money for desperately needed medical equipment.

“Hôpital Joseph Ravaohangy Andrianavalona (HJRA) is the largest surgical teaching hospital in the entire country based in the capital of Antananarivo with over 600 inpatient beds,” said Michelle. “This public hospital is predominantly staffed by Madagascan and African health professionals and they are extremely dedicated in trying to provide the best patient care and work tirelessly, serving between 100-120 patients in the emergency department every day.

“Due to an astonishing lack of funding, the hospital’s status and exterior belies the resources and equipment that is necessary to care for patients and to save lives,” she added.

Explaining why the hospital needs help, Michelle said that whilst health care is free, every patient must pay for all medication and all equipment used in their management.

Also, if they are unable to pay, a doctor has to visit a hospital-based government officer to plead their case for funding.

Furthermore, there is no defibrillator available in the emergency department, nor are there any oxygen masks.

“It is shocking to think that there are shopping centres and sports venues in the western world that have more life-saving equipment than this hospital has,” remarked Michelle, who while there even gave a medical presentation to the staff in French about some medical technique updates!

Saturday’s coffee morning will be held at Church House, Upper Frog Street, Tenby, from 10 am - 12 noon, and will also include a cake stall and raffle.

Some fantastic prizes will be on offer in the raffle from Sainsbury’s Supermarket, Ruby Ruby, Janina Louise Hair Studio, The Shed, Jewellery Junkee, Leelavadee Thai Massage, Frank Booth and Sons and many local people, to whom grateful thanks are extended.

For anyone unable to attend the coffee morning, raffle tickets are also on sale at Country Kitchen, Upper Frog Street, Tenby, who will also be donating all carrier bag money taken over the next 12 months to Michelle’s appeal.

A justgiving crowd funding page has also been set up for the appeal at

justgiving.com/crowdfunding/michellecolehelpinghjramadagascar