Practicing medicine in Swaziland is worthy challenge: doctors

2011/06/02 Taipei, June 2 (CNA) Practicing medicine in Africa is a life-changing, eye-opening experience, Taiwanese doctors said Thursday at a press conference held to celebrate the launch of a book about Taiwan's medical mission in an under-developed country. The book, titled "Passion Under the White Coat, " documents stories told by doctors and medical staff who have volunteered to provide medical assistance to people in Swaziland, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan for some 40 years. Taiwan has been sending doctors to the African country since 2009 to help improve the health situation there. "Given the chance, I would go there again, " said Shih Ying-jie, an orthopedist from Taipei Medical University who admitted that he had doubts about the nine-month posting before departure. Because of the lack of medical supplies and doctors, most people are left with no choice but to forego prompt treatment, which in turn worsens their health, he says in the book. "A doctor is more than a doctor in Swaziland, " he said, pointing out that in poverty-stricken countries, a doctor not only takes care of the physical health of his patients but also tries to find cost-efficient ways of carrying out surgery. "This has been an eye-opening experience for me," he said. Although Shih is now back in Taiwan, there are still five doctors, one nurse and one administrative staffer working in Swaziland's Mbabane Government Hospital, providing quality medical consultations and surgical services. At the press conference, students from Swaziland studying in Taiwan applauded the country's continuous efforts to help their homeland by singing a traditional thank-you song. "My friend can now walk, thanks to Taiwanese doctors, " said Sakhile K.S. Masuku-Maseko, a 32 year-old graduate student in nutrition and health science. "Were it not for the doctor, she would have had to travel to South Africa for spinal surgery, which she could not afford, " Masuku-Maseko said. Nursing student Hlengiwe Sacolo said meanwhile that Taiwan's advances in AIDS prevention is something that Swaziland could learn from. About one in four people are infected with HIV/AIDS in the country. "Medical diplomacy is the best example of soft power, " said Chen Shih-liang, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), adding that the medical mission has greatly enhanced relations between Taiwan and Swaziland.