I have been asked to write about work I have done abroad. I must start by saying I have tremendously enjoyed it, and any good I have done is a great thrill to me and I am lucky to have been given the medical skills I have. With the help of an interpreter I have been able to work in quite remote places.
Before retirement I did the Refresher Course on Tropical Diseases at Oakhill College. All the lecturers brought in by CMF had experience in their speciality in the field and were a great encouragement. I met many young medical missionaries who were giving a long-term commitment - a real inspiration. I also met Sister Lucian a Nun Obstetrician.
WEST INDIES
I then went to St Lucia, the first time staying a year. It was to St Jude Hospital, which serves the poor in the south of the island. The hospital is run by Nuns and volunteer Doctors mostly from America.
I worked in the Clinics and also the Emergency Room - just like T.V. lots of blood and drama.
A learning experience
There was a lot to learn about the work in the emergency room. We went to classes to learn Patois, most peoples first language. Although originating from French it is virtually unrecognisable. Worth learning, you got on so much better with the island people. (Another learning when off duty was windsurfing! It looks impossible but can be done.)
Diseases and Babies
At work there were illnesses unfamiliar to me such as Sickle Cell Crisis, also the many different varieties of worms! When there was no Consultant I found it had to be me, because of my diploma in Obstetrics. A lady was miscarrying so I called the Operating Theatre staff together and prepared to do a curettage. As a precaution I did an Ultra Sound Scan (no one else knew how to do it) and to my astonishment found a baby's heart beating. She had lost a twin! So we sent the theatre staff home and gave her treatment to stop the contractions. She was delighted in due course to have baby number 9, and she named him after me. He is now running around aged 10.
Way of Life
Few people get married until late in life. Technically "Sequential residential cohabitation".
Care of the Elderly
Mostly very good as the villagers are inter-related. A few old men who had been alcoholic were rejected and lived in the forest. I went to St Lucia for up to six months for each of the next six years. But the hospital was becoming better organised . . .
INDIA
. . . So I responded to the long-standing invitation from Sister Lucian to go with my wife to her hospital in the South of India at Batlagundu in Tamil Nadu. We could only get a visa for one month.
More unfamiliar diseases
The hospital gave us a great welcome. From there we went out to quite remote villages. We found tuberculosis, cancer and leprosy, and referred them back to the hospital.
A great project
We asked them what did they most need. I was fairly sure my parish would adopt them for the main fundraising effort for the summer fete. They said they badly needed a second operating theatre. Back at home all agreed "Lets go for it". We broke all records, raising £7800. It is now built and working. It will save lives; for instance women in prolonged labour brought in almost dead.
So we go back every year with whatever we can collect- this year we are taking £3000 for instruments for the new theatre. India is so interesting, and there has been a Christian presence there since biblical days. St Thomas is said to have been martyred at Chennai.
IN CONCLUSION
I have been so glad to belong to the Christian Medical Fellowship. They have given me so much friendly help; my confidence had been greatly helped thanks to them, Thank you all! And may God bless you.
Before retirement I did the Refresher Course on Tropical Diseases at Oakhill College. All the lecturers brought in by CMF had experience in their speciality in the field and were a great encouragement. I met many young medical missionaries who were giving a long-term commitment - a real inspiration. I also met Sister Lucian a Nun Obstetrician.
WEST INDIES
I then went to St Lucia, the first time staying a year. It was to St Jude Hospital, which serves the poor in the south of the island. The hospital is run by Nuns and volunteer Doctors mostly from America.
I worked in the Clinics and also the Emergency Room - just like T.V. lots of blood and drama.
A learning experience
There was a lot to learn about the work in the emergency room. We went to classes to learn Patois, most peoples first language. Although originating from French it is virtually unrecognisable. Worth learning, you got on so much better with the island people. (Another learning when off duty was windsurfing! It looks impossible but can be done.)
Diseases and Babies
At work there were illnesses unfamiliar to me such as Sickle Cell Crisis, also the many different varieties of worms! When there was no Consultant I found it had to be me, because of my diploma in Obstetrics. A lady was miscarrying so I called the Operating Theatre staff together and prepared to do a curettage. As a precaution I did an Ultra Sound Scan (no one else knew how to do it) and to my astonishment found a baby's heart beating. She had lost a twin! So we sent the theatre staff home and gave her treatment to stop the contractions. She was delighted in due course to have baby number 9, and she named him after me. He is now running around aged 10.
Way of Life
Few people get married until late in life. Technically "Sequential residential cohabitation".
Care of the Elderly
Mostly very good as the villagers are inter-related. A few old men who had been alcoholic were rejected and lived in the forest. I went to St Lucia for up to six months for each of the next six years. But the hospital was becoming better organised . . .
INDIA
. . . So I responded to the long-standing invitation from Sister Lucian to go with my wife to her hospital in the South of India at Batlagundu in Tamil Nadu. We could only get a visa for one month.
More unfamiliar diseases
The hospital gave us a great welcome. From there we went out to quite remote villages. We found tuberculosis, cancer and leprosy, and referred them back to the hospital.
A great project
We asked them what did they most need. I was fairly sure my parish would adopt them for the main fundraising effort for the summer fete. They said they badly needed a second operating theatre. Back at home all agreed "Lets go for it". We broke all records, raising £7800. It is now built and working. It will save lives; for instance women in prolonged labour brought in almost dead.
So we go back every year with whatever we can collect- this year we are taking £3000 for instruments for the new theatre. India is so interesting, and there has been a Christian presence there since biblical days. St Thomas is said to have been martyred at Chennai.
IN CONCLUSION
I have been so glad to belong to the Christian Medical Fellowship. They have given me so much friendly help; my confidence had been greatly helped thanks to them, Thank you all! And may God bless you.
