I got to thinking about how little I really knew about Africa. I have been reading books from my local library and happened to take out “An Imperfect Offering” by Dr. Orbinski.

I have read it and re read parts and am having trouble letting go of it and returning it to the library. I think I am going to have to purchase a copy for myself. It has made me realize what wonderful work Doctors Without Borders does in the world and how fortunate I am to live in Australia.

This was the first, most consistent and perseverent (near 3 years) international medical help received in the Psichiatry and Neurology Hospital from Oradea town – Romania.

The team arrived in a microbuss, with some specifically drogs, but more dressings. It was an informational visit… Some days they accompanied us in our daily activity, folowed by long discutions about our needs.

They declared to be amazed by our profesional knowledge and disponibility (on Romania always was, and also now are, very good Medical Universies), by the high level of individual and group psychoterapy (as psychodrama Moreno, musictherapy – much used on night for replace the lack of hypnotique drogs, and ergotherapy), but also amazed by the miswerable conditions of drogtherapy – the imposed daily cost of drogs for an illmen wass the equivqlqnt of $0.17 (No, it isn’t an writing mistake), because the psychycal disordered ill pacient was considered irrecuperable, unwanted and periculos guy. Not enough syringes and needles, improvised Oxygen instalation (by tubes from recuperated perfuzion packs, connected with leucoplast), not enough plates and covers, soap and closet paper, etc, etc.

But we had high walls and bars on windows… They go, but returned after 2 weeks in a very big buss bringing a first transport of drugs, investigation technology, an Oxygen station reformed from the renewed Bordeaux Hospital, utility things, soap and others…, professional books and reviews and much friendship, love and moral support. Near 3 years they was present in all Psychiatric Hospitals from Romania and initiated the radical change in the psychiatrical assistence on Romania.

I cannot forget this; now , writing this comment, I live again the admiration, gratitude and love feelings. I know along that the human can be so sublime such as miserable, but the MSF viewed activity re-born in me the hope in the human soul and the enthusiasm to contribute for.

Thank you Gary your articles. Finally, you pulledout me from my silence.