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Medical Missions: are we really making a
difference?
Medical missions are being conducted all over
the world at any given time by many people. These
medical missions are often realized by a small
group of volunteers willing to put aside time and
money to bring hope to isolated and poor population
groups.
The medical mission's team usually comprises
doctors, dentists, nurses, chiropractors, helpers
and translators among others. Many medical missions
are organized by a specific religious group but
often are open to anyone willing to help,
regardless of their own religious beliefs. The
common denominator to all medical missions is that
they are regrouping people eager to help, give and
share to their best of their abilities.
A small pharmacy of fortune is composed and
basic medications are handed out upon prescription
by the staff to the people who need it. Often on
these busy medical missions, medications ran out
and the team needs to reserve the precious
antibiotics for the patients who most require
it.
Many of the villagers coming to those medical
missions have to walk considerable distances
(sometimes walking in the mountains for more than a
day) in order to have a chance to consult with a
member of the medical team. Sometimes, in very
fortunate missions, reading glasses are provided to
those who need it most. Hence, when people are
donating their old glasses in containers in malls
they can be assured that they are making a huge
difference in another person's life somewhere else
in the world.
The working hours for the medical team are long
and the tasks can be demanding. A doctor can easily
see over 200 patients in consultation on a very
busy day. Medical missions are more focused on
solving the acute problems of the people. A lot of
prevention and education needs to be done in order
to improve the general health status of the people
living in third world countries.
Medical missions are welcomed by the local
authorities and governments who accept this outside
help. Often, the local villagers will help as much
as they can to make the medical mission a success
by offering their time and food to the missionaries
as they are aware of the great benefits to them of
the team being in their area.
One can argue that such punctual medical
assistance is limited and cannot cure all the
problems the needy people have. Although it is true
that such help has burdens, the general comments
missionaries get from villagers is that they are
making a huge difference in their lives.
The most frequent medical conditions encountered
during a medical mission are general malnutrition,
children with parasites and diabetes, hypertension,
parasites and infections in adults.
More important than bringing pills and creams to
these needy people during those missions, the
volunteers have the satisfaction of bringing them
hope.
More permanent and considerable help is highly
needed to continue the work started during those
punctual and limited medical missions.
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