The Mac Weekly

Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Aaron Brown Members who have served the organization Doctors Without Borders speak to an audience in Kagin Commons. Photo by Aaron Brown.

Speaking about their own professional challenges, personal dangers, and, most importantly, the need for medical care throughout the third world, four members of the French-based, but internationally committed, medical organization Doctors Without Borders' members of the Macalester community and the public last Wednesday in Kagin Ballroom.

Don Shelby, an anchor and reporter at WCCO-TV in Minneapolis, moderated the discussion.

President Brian Rosenberg began the evening with the promise for "an interesting and powerful event." Shelby followed, introducing the individual panelists and commending their work around the world.

"These are the medical professional equivalent to the Navy Seals," he said. "These people are the toughest, bravest, most prepared, most willing of all people in their fields and it is an honor to be in the same room [as them.]"

After a short video summarizing the organization's work, the discussion began. Topics varied from how the panelists joined Doctors Without Borders, to common problems encountered in the medical field abroad. A common theme among the panelists was their belief in their organization's commitment to impartial humanitarianism-serving patients despite political affiliations or religious views, whether they are civilians, government soldiers or rebels.

"We don't really care about peoples' politics," panelist Dr. Unni Karunakara said. "If someone is injured, if someone is sick, we will take care of them."

Describing the challenges encountered in their work, panelists spoke of difficulties including language and cultural barriers, lack of supplies, and dangers to their own lives that often arise in the countries in which they work.

Before the forum was opened to audience questions, Shelby asked each panelist what the word humanitarianism meant to them. Each responded differently.

"Standing by a person when they are going through a difficult period," Dr. Karunakara answered.

"[Making sure someone knows] he is a valuable human being, there is someone who cares about him and he is not forgotten," Jennifer Vago, a registered nurse, said.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools