“Mission: Stay alive while saving lives”

Hello everyone, my name is Miguel Viveros and I am your host today. Welcome to the first transmission of this new podcast. Mission Stay Alive While Saving Lives. The topic that we're going to talk about is Doctors Without Borders and one of the principles helping victims of war. First, I'm going to give you a little background. MSF or Doctors Without Borders. That is an international medical and humanitarian organization that helps victims of natural or human disasters in armed conflict.

without any discrimination based on race, sex, religion, philosophy, or politics. This organization received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.

Our guests for today are Dr. Samantha Santillana. She's a pediatrician with a patient for helping children and their special medical needs. We also have Dr. Jose. He is an orthopedic surgeon with a passion for saving lives and improvising the quality of life. They are going to share with us their experience being. MSF working in Syria. Hi Dr. Sam, Dr. Jose, thanks so much for joining us. Hello? Um you can call me doctor Sam, that's okay.

Well first, thank you so much for having us and for the invitation. I am really excited to talk about this topic personally because it was a real life-changing experience. that I would love to share with you guys. Hi Miguel. Thank you for the invitation. Uh I'm also excited to be here with you and talk about the things we need uh we do to try to help these victims and also our experience there. Okay. Doctor Sam, what were you expecting when MSF told you we're going to Syria?

Well, I'm not going to lie. I was nervous and scared. I I remember how I heard in the news that there was constant bombing and violence there in Syria and that was what I was expecting to see. I obviously was worrying about the danger, but once I was there I realized the great medical needs they suffer.

So I was happy to be there and help as many as I can. Wow, that's impressive. And tell me what about the conditions where you live and in the place that you work was challenging and hard to adapt? Well yes, it was not easy, but when you enter MSF You really need to be prepared for these type of challenges. You need to be prepared to live in harsh conditions and especially if you are at a conflict zone where

Uh we needed to be a lot more careful and have a lot more groups to follow. I worked in the Salama Hospital, which is an MSF hospital that was established In twenty twelve, and I remember how it had these barricades to protect us the staff and the patients from upfire. And what kinds of injuries and medical conditions were seen most in the children of Syria? The most common problem I saw with children coming from the camps and within Syria was aneurasis, which is bed wetting.

uh due to the fear of aerial bombardment. And as for the injuries, the most of them are caused by explosive weapons like a car bomb or a plane. I also treated multiple body injuries caused by gunshots. Um usually more than one child at a time comes in with multiple lacerations into the chest, head or eyes. And what about medical resources? Are they limited? Yes, that's right. All the resources are quite limited. Both the medical staff and with.

and an an aesthetic and the entire team was ready to receive cases twenty four seven. And it was very demanding due to the lack of personnel that we had in the hospital. And my last question for you is what can you tell us about your overall experience working there? Later you said it was a life changing experience, so why that is Yes well I learned a lot about Spent there. I gained a lot of medical experience as a pediatrician. I learned to work with limited resources.

And I will never forget the impact that living there caused in me, seeing people and children living in very difficult circumstances. Um lastly I just would like to encourage all the medical staff to try MSF and be a doctor without border because like Syria there are

Thank you, Doctor Sam. And what about you, Doctor Jose? What were you MSF told you we're going to do it. Mm well the truth is that I got very nervous and scared. And I also think that as a doctor I had to go to help and give all of me because it is a commitment that you have as a doctor with human life. And more with these people that they really need help and are in a very bad situation. I knew it was something I had to do.

Wow that's interesting and tell us Doctor Jose, what is your role as an orthopedic? Uh first, uh managing the orthopedic procedures in close cooperating With the paramedical and medical team. Also we coordinate the orthopedic activities for which we are responsible with our surgical team and In liaison with emergency unit and invasion departments and the operating room. Uh we provide care And follow up consultation, and we also provide continuous training for the medical team.

and sharing our expertise according to the team's level. And how many hours were your working days? Which was the most difficult thing to do in that place? Ah very good question. Mm there were days when I could not sleep because of m of so much work we did. The maximum was two and a half days in a row, in which patients arrived injured by gunshots, explosions and other things. And what are the requirements or the profile to go as an orthopaedic surgeon?

Well, the first thing you need to have is a certification in orthopedic surgery. Desire to share knowledge, skills and experience with colleagues. We also need experience in Management, training and supervision. We need to be available for a minimum of peri available for a minimum period of six weeks. Mm, we also need to have the ability to adapt to working with sometimes limited resources. And as an interesting fact, you need to have good French and English language skills.

And if s if someone is interested in traveling and supporting What would the requirements be? Hm it is good that you mentioned that because it is not just saying I will support also it is a good intention. MSF worker it is to have completed the training according to the request profile. In addition, the candidate must have at least two years of professional experience. Um could you tell me where we can find more inform? Uh yes of course.

Well our time has run out, but we thank the doctors for Us in this first broadcast and you to hear us. In addition, the medical work that excluded from healthcare who face neglected diseases related to poverty and chronic conditions. And in this case medical emergencies in where MSF takes action in the face of the abrupt deterioration of the medical humanitarian conditions.

of population affected by crises that endanger their survival or health, with special attention to those who do not receive any type of assistance. See you in the next transmission. Bye.