“You have to tend to the patients no matter what” Dr Anna Jakkel, from the new host centre in Körmend
It’s barely been a week since the first shelter-seekers arrived in the host camp at the yard of the technical college of Körmend from the host centre in Bicske. The institution has been through the first scandal since then. However, globoport.hu asked Dr Anna Jakkel, the volunteer doctor of the African Hungarian Union (AHU) about a different subject.
Globoport: When and why did AHU decide to send medical support to Körmend?
- AHU regularly sends medical missions to developing and poor countries. This is how they are: they help wherever they can. Since we’ve worked in the host centres of Nagyfa, Körmend, Bicske and Vámosszabadi last year, they asked us to help now as well.
Globoport: How many people are there in Körmend from AHU? How many consulting hours do you have?
- It’s only me here for now, but a colleague will join me later from Várpalota. As I’m also doing my gp district in Kecskemét, I’m only here for 2-3 hours. The members of the Red Cross, the Hungarian Baptist Aid and the Hungarian Interchurch Aid are also here, so there is permanent medical staff.
Globoport: How many patients can you attend to in 2-3 hours?
- This changes every day. On average, 30-35 people need medical attendance a day. There are currently 210 people at the host centre, but this number will grow very quickly.
Globoport: What kind of diseases and complaints do they turn to you with?
- The problems are the same as last year. Colds due to the travelling and tiredness, stomach and bowel troubles, skin diseases. However, most of them don’t suffer from physical problems, rather from depression, bleakness, helplessness. We bind the wounds, give medicine, but we can’t treat their biggest problems.
Globorport: Is there a psychologist at the host centre?
- For now, we are happy that we’re here. But there are still not enough of us, not to mention that I am the only doctor! The place opened on the 2nd of May, so we’re still gathering. We are now trying to provide sporting opportunities for the dwellers and to involve them in volunteer work. They respond very well to our requests, because they need to be occupied, to let off steam, and to find meaning in their days. Unemployment, helplessness and buckling up only create negative thoughts.
Globoport: Other than the 210 dwellers of the host centre, have you met refugees who just arrived through the green border?
- I cannot tell where they come from exactly. We don’t know all the details; this is the range of the Immigration Office. These dwellers are all registered, and only sick people turn to us. Those who newly arrive are usually tired, wet and soaked. Skin diseases and different insect bites are typical with them. But we tend to them right after their arrival, and then they shower and get dry clothes.
Globoport: Have you met underage children without guardians during the last week? How many children are there at Körmend?
- There are no women or children here in Körmend. There are only men, the youngest around 17-18 years, the oldest around 35 years.
Globoport: Do you know anything about the attitude of the locals?
- We experience peace and calmness. There are no taut-situations, only normal conditions.
Globoport: Do the refugees plan on staying in Hungary or moving forward to West Europe?
- They don’t really talk about their plans. They just got here, so they are trying to get used to the conditions. It’s hard to find out about their future plans, but evidently, everybody wants to get out of the relocation camp.
Globoport: Getting back to medical work: is it a spiritual burden?
- I’ve been working as a general practitioner since 1979; I tend to 50-60 patients a day. Showing me something new would be hard, I’ve treated people from the poorest to the noblest, and I’ve been in Africa five times as a volunteer. When you become a doctor, you take its odium. You must tend to the patient irrespective of the conditions, the location and everything else.
Photos: www.globoport.hu
Copy editor: bm
Source: http://www.globoport.hu/
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