A disturbing thought, indeed. Marek Banas, a medical student at Lincoln Memorial University, completed his INMED service-learning experience at The Surgery, a general practice clinic in Kampala, capital of Uganda. I find his account to be one of the most compelling of all our students have written.
“The Surgery is potentially the best clinic in Uganda,” she affirms. “People who did not have a conclusive diagnosis came from all over southern the country, as well as neighboring southern African nations to be helped by The Surgery doctors and other staff.” Marek continues, “Patients include wealthy Ugandans, tourists, expatriates… and abandoned infants – who are occasionally brought into The Surgery after being found on the street or in dumpsters.”
Many healthcare professionals are enamored with the possibility of international service. Yet relatively few ultimately sample such an experience or go on to make this a part of their continuing career. In reply to what motivates him, Marek says, “My desire to help the marginalized people springs from a moral imperative I found in myself years ago. I feel I have been lucky in life and it is my responsibility to share my fortune with the forgotten ones.”