Ever found it difficult to see a doctor? Try Africa.

The current number of doctors being educated and trained in Africa is too small to make a difference. East, Central and Southern Africa, a region with a population of around 200 million, has just 800 physicians in total – about as many as you would find in a European city with a population of 200,000.

The East, Central and Southern Africa College of Physicians was formed in 2015 with the remit of improving access to well-trained physicians across the region. Its ambitious goal: doubling the number of physicians being trained by 2030.

You can help train more physicians in Africa

The RCP is working closely with the East African College, providing mentorship and technical support as it prepares to begin training at 12 new training units across Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Now, RCP president-elect Dr Andrew 'Bod' Goddard is cycling 2,018 miles around England and Wales, visiting as many acute NHS trusts as possible over a 16 month period. He is using his journey to raise money for, and awareness of, the new College’s essential work.

Please support Physicians for Africa by sponsoring Bod. This is how your gift will make a difference:

• £27 provides a month's access to online resource and webinars for trainees
• £100 provides training resources for each trainee
• £270 covers enrolment and registration costs for each trainee physician
• £900 trains a new faculty member
• £2,400 enables the accreditation of each new training unit

Calling all cyclists!

Bod is looking for company on future legs of the cycle - you can join him on any of the following dates:

• Lancaster to Blackburn: Friday 15 June/li>
• Cambridge to London: Sunday 24 June
• Derby to Burton, Burton to Ilkeston: Thursday 5 July
• Welshpool to Aberystwyth: Tuesday August 14
• Aberystwyth to Haverford West: Wednesday August 15
• Aberystwyth to Haverford West: Wednesday August 15
• Marlow to Stoke Mandeville, Stoke Mandeville to Oxford: Tuesday 11 September
• Richmond to Central London: Sunday 23 September

Anyone can take part but we ask that you commit to raising at least £500 for Physicians for Africa.