“No matter how wonderful a modern building might be, it’s the people delivering the service that count”


number of stalls selling medication to anyone at a reduced price, though it is difficult to know if the medications being sold are genuine or otherwise. Te stall-holders were very unhappy over the new payment card, fearing that their business would be adversely affected by patients no longer needing their “services”. Hospital management staff at the Duncan had to


Far left: Mr Ian Hutchinson and Mr Riaz


Mohammed. Clockwise from above left: visitors and medical staff at the Duncan Hospital; more staff at the Duncan; the new Mother and Child Building now finished


Greatest resource – people Tis dedication reminded us all that at the end of the day “real medicine” is delivered by caring, trained and experienced members of the medical, nursing and ancillary staff, all of whom are essential in providing quality of care that saves lives and limbs. No matter how wonderful a modern building might be it is the people delivering the service that count. Te efforts of our two paediatricians and indeed


the FY2 doctor in helping the indigenous staff over the relatively short period of our visit was amazing to watch. “When the going gets tough – the tough get going” and we saw that for ourselves as these doctors rolled up their sleeves and got on with the job at hand. It was also a privilege to take much needed equipment and even ordinary pens for distribution at the hospital. In addition, a kind donor had made available very high quality theatre gowns and sheets for use by the surgical team at the Duncan. Again, all this was much appreciated. Nowhere in this life is perfection found – and so it


also proves in Bihar. In recent years the improved standards at the Duncan Hospital had attracted government support for initiatives to help the lives of those under the poverty line. One way forward was to offer a “payment” card so that the poorest would not have to pay for maternity services or any necessary medication. Outside the hospital are a


SPRING 2012


seek assistance from the local police to prevent a possible riot over the issue. However, they remained resolute in their commitment to assist the poor in an honourable and legal fashion. It’s not easy being in hospital management – anywhere!


Humbling sites Our journey back was supplemented by visits to such wonderful sites as the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, India Gate and the Parliament of India. All worth seeing. Nothing, however, could match the joy of observing new-born babies being saved by the skill and dedication of the staff at the Duncan. Who knows what even one of these lives saved will achieve in the future? “We can only leave that to God”, as they would say at the Duncan. You will not be surprised to read that all the


doctors on the trip were keen to return to the Duncan in the near future to see what else they could contribute to that deprived part of the world. Tey also would be doing their best to encourage others to consider how they too could help. If you would like to know more please feel free to get in touch with me at MDDUS. I now understand what the saying “you can take


the boy out of the Duncan, but you can’t take the Duncan out of the boy” means. How true, how true.


nMr Riaz Mohammed is a senior medical adviser at MDDUS


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