After practising for almost 3 years as a physician, I've learnt that medicine isn't this sure thing that medical school painted it to be. You know, it's not always getting the history, running the labs and getting a diagnosis with a clear management plan. I've been exposed to cases that were interesting yet challenging and choosing managements that eventually led to positive outcomes was a great learning and fulfilling experience. However, I was also faced with the reality that things don’t always go smoothly as I witnessed tragic deaths despite relentless efforts.
There were times when defined treatment plans couldn’t be executed due to patients’ limited funds. And there were times when I was clueless in front of an unknown disease. These cases were equally engaging and educative as I was expected to provide a solution as well. My greatest satisfaction nevertheless, was to see my patients leave the hospital happy.
And now I realise that there are times when you may have to choose between life and death. I'm practically surrounded by the deadly Ebola virus, and everyday when I wake up in the morning I have to ask myself: what would I do if an Ebola patient was admitted on my ward? Would I scram and never come back or would I put on the armor of courage (the protective gear) and care for my patient? I must be honest and say that I'm still struggling with this decision.
Update (Sep 26th):
Word has it (and from a reliable source too) that ebola has been contained in Nigeria. Nigeria is our next door neighbor so to say that this has been quite a scare is an understatement. Does this call for jubilation then? I don't know. And I don't think so. How can one jubilate when hundreds are still dying in Sierra Leone...in the Democratic Rep of Congo...in Liberia...in Guinea. I'm not a skeptic, and I'm not pessimistic either, but what a grim outlook for the motherland. Africa is still bleeding!!!
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| Courtesy of the Huffington Post (Seyllou/AFP/Getty Images) |
