TRANSFORMATION IN A MEDICAL CAMP

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TRANSFORMATION IN A MEDICAL CAMP

 

A tale on the transforming power of love....

By Dr S K Upadhyay, MBBS, MRCOphthal Honorary Professor of Ophthalmology,

Consultant Ophthalmologist, London

This is an excerpt from Dr. Upadhyay’s article “Quality: Not Quantity” from the

compilation volume “Sacrifice is the Hallmark of a Doctor.”

 

A Moving Experience from Nepal

 

Sometimes medicine and surgery are not required for a cure. You need to

transform the surrounding people who may be the cause of suffering not the

disease itself. One camp was held up in the mountains in Nepal. Everyday a very

large number of people came to the camp from long distances. Some travelled 2-3

days and brought the patient on their back or on improvised stretchers. The

camp was located on a small flat area surrounded by snow peaked hills. The

amenities were very basic, and with no electricity on the campsite, a generator

was arranged. We took operating microscopes and all diagnostic tools etc - this

attracted large numbers of crowds. Everyday the number of patients would

increase as people would go back to their village and talk about the love and

care, new glasses, free medicine, clothes and food they had received.

 

An Unusual Visitor

 

On one occasion when our volunteers were struggling to control the crowd and

pleading with them to be in a queue there was a commotion. Everyone wanted to

be first when suddenly something happened. All those who were trying to push

each other to be in the front moved away. For a few seconds there was absolute

silence. A man wrapped in a white sheet covering his face with a cloth walked

in. The crowd parted and gave way in the same way when the Red Sea parted and

Moses walked through. The volunteers were surprised.

 

Someone started shouting that this man should not be here, he was a leper. But

the volunteer who brought him from the village did not listen and carried on

towards the registration desk. The poor man was shaking with fear and hiding

his face. He was in tears when I asked him why was he so scared. With great

difficulty and sadness he said, "Can't you see I am a leper, a social boycott,

no-one comes near me. Villagers forced my son not to contact me, and that is

why I live outside the village, a self imposed exile."

 

Social Outcast

 

He was living in shame and fear, as if it was his fault. This is the curse of

ignorance, false beliefs and myths in society. He was reassured and was told

that there is nothing to be ashamed of or to fear, as God will take care of

him. He was examined and then a volunteer took him, cleaned him up and he was

given some clothes. After an hour he was brought out for another consultation

with an English colleague, and an English priest who was volunteering his

services in the camp, helped him to sit down in full view of the crowd holding

his hand and offered him a cup of tea.

Someone from the waiting crowd leaped forward and said, "Don't you see he is a

leper, you are offering him tea, touching him and sitting next to him. You will

get the disease, he should not be here."

We replied, "Sir, for us everyone is the same. We treat everyone equally and

this is a treatable condition. He needs support and love, not neglect. You

should not be afraid. None of the doctors, nurses or volunteers are afraid of

contacting the disease." It was difficult to convince them. He was looked after

well and the volunteers made a temporary shelter (tent) for him.

 

Befriending the Friendless

During our stay in the camp the man stayed very near to the campsite and the

volunteers took food for him, sat with him and talked to him. Initially he

wanted to end his life due to the humiliation and insults that he faced, but

this was a new experience for him. He felt a bit happier, shared his story on

how he was under pressure from the village and his son and daughter-in-law who

had left him. Now suddenly he found hope and was able to face the challenge of

the disease.

 

We talked to him about Mother Teresa's Leprosarium and how proudly the lepers

are engaged in their craftsmanship there. We also told him about our Swami and

His famous saying, 'Why fear when I am here', and also the power of prayer. He

was given Swami's picture, his medicines and Vibhuti.

 

Departure after 9 Days

 

Finally the day of our departure came. We were packing and the villagers also

were sad. For them these 9 days were like a festival, something new. Doctors,

for them, were people who were unapproachable and they found this a new

experience. They could talk and communicate with us and they had seen a new

caring and loving side to medicine.

 

Though free, quality was not undermined. Packing was almost finished; volunteers

and some villagers were helping us bring the luggage down the hills to the road

where the coach and truck were waiting. A couple approached me and asked if I

could spare a few minutes.

 

Family Reunion

 

We started talking. I was surprised to find that they were the son and

daughter-in-law of the leper. They had tears in their eyes and with great

difficulty the son said, "Doctor, I was ignorant and afraid of a few villagers

who said that if I lived with him they would not talk to me or invite me for

social functions. But the team has opened our eyes. Please take us to our

father."

 

We could not believe our ears. Swami says, "You do the right thing and I will

take care of the rest". What a transformation!!! We were all worried what would

happen to the old man when we left. But God had different plans.

 

First Experience of God’s Love

 

It was a sight unforgettable, the son holding the father's hand. Father was

crying, son was crying and there were hardly any eyes without tears, tears of

Joy! The old man suddenly turned and said, "I have heard of God but this is the

first time I have experienced His Grace and Love - through you all. May God

bless you."

We may have operated on many people and given thousands of prescriptions, but

this healing is the sum total of Swami’s teaching. Serve the poor as if you are

serving the Lord. See God in everyone, then you won't have any reservations and

the Love will flow from Swami through you. He has declared that He is 'The

healing principle in all the doctors. Vaidyo Narayana Hari.’

- From “Sacrifice is the Hallmark of a Doctor”

 

With Sai love from Sai brothers - ''

Source and courtesy: http://media.radiosai.org/journals/Vol_03/10OCT01/

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