In 2017, eleven Austrians went on medical aid missions under the umbrella of German – Austrian Doctors. Young, recently retired and experienced doctors donated their time and valuable knowledge to the poorest of the poor. Where? In the overcrowded slums of the world’s major cities and in remote areas where there is no medical help apart from us. They worked in India, Bangladesh, Kenya, Sierra Leone and the Philippines.
Together with the local team, consisting of pharmacists, health workers and translators, they meet the often neglected patients in order to help those who otherwise have no access to medical care. The local staff form the bridge to our target group. They know their language, culture, religion and customs.
Introducing the Austrian Doctors in action in 2017:
Julia Bösch from Lustenau, 36 years old, specializing in gynecology
Lukas Gamillscheg from Graz, 30 years old, specializing in internal medicine
Christian Gross from Anthering, 71 years old, specializing in paediatrics and adolescent medicine
Christian Gruber from Oberalm, 54 years old, specializing in internal medicine
Hartwig Maurer from Salzburg, 68 years old, specialist in pediatrics and adolescent medicine
Susanna McAllister from Neunkirchen, 69 years old, specializing in general medicine
Rosemarie Pichler from Vienna, 64 years old, specializing in general medicine and pulmonary medicine
Brigitte Ritzer from Salzburg, 73 years old, specializing in general medicine
Kathrin Sickau from Laufen (and Salzburg), 33 years old, specializing in general medicine
Philipp Schumpp from Garmisch Patenkirchen (and Innsbruck), 33 years old, specializing in general medicine
Emil Stern from Bodensdorf, 68 years old, specializing in paediatrics and adolescent medicine
We also try to reach out from Salzburg to the other federal states through network meetings. In this way, we are trying to raise our profile throughout Austria and find more supporters so that we can continue to finance high-quality projects. The flight costs are always covered at least half by the doctors themselves.
Over the past 30 years, around 3,000 volunteer doctors have carried out around 6,000 missions, which amounts to around 12 million free treatments over the years, given that a doctor on a mission abroad can care for 60 to 100 patients a day.
The missions are exciting, adventurous and certainly not always easy. In addition to the physical exertion caused by the difficult conditions at the locations, there is also the mental strain of experiencing extreme poverty up close. After six weeks, the Austrian Doctors have many stories to tell – some beautiful and some not so beautiful, but always worth telling.
Last year we met twice in Salzburg, once in Vienna and once in Innsbruck to exchange stories, share experiences and learn about unknown projects. In the form of an informal meeting, everyone who is planning to do an assignment in the future or non-medical people who are interested in the work of Austrian Doctors are also welcome.
