Takeaway
While working as a doctor in Cameroon, I learned that the most valuable resources aren’t always technological. Instead, generosity, kindness, and human connections may be most important for making healthcare more widely accessible.
Passion in the Medical Profession | July 16, 2024 | 3 min read
By Emmanuel Tito, DO, with Ines Kafando, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine
The sterile smell of disinfectant hung heavy in the air, the only familiar comfort in a room otherwise worlds away from my usual hospital experience. Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a harsh glow on the bare walls of Ndogbati Protestant Hospital in Douala, Cameroon. There were no fancy machines or overflowing cabinets of medications. Instead, a single shared stethoscope glinted in the doctor’s hand as she examined a young boy. I felt a pang of guilt. Back home in the U.S., I took for granted the abundance of resources at my fingertips—the latest technology and shelves stocked with every imaginable medicine. Here, the most basic supplies were a precious commodity.
This realization was the spark that ignited a fire within me. It all started with a medical mission trip in 2020, an eye-opening experience that exposed the vast disparities in healthcare across the globe. Returning home, I couldn’t shake the image of a doctor’s hopeful eyes as she looked at me, hoping that I could send her much needed supplies.
Learning from mistakes: sending the right help
I knew I had to do something—a felt a profound sense of responsibility. And I knew I couldn’t do this alone. Spreading the word through our nonprofit organization, “The Body Screening Project,” SHARE (Supporting Hospitals Abroad with Resources and Equipment) at Johns Hopkins readily offered to help. It was important for everyone trying to help to know hospitals in developing countries often lack the infrastructure—stable electricity, internet access, even clean water—to utilize complex equipment. Donations needed to be targeted and practical.
Building a better donation box
With this knowledge, I talked to colleagues, friends, and family. We focused on gathering essential medical supplies —face masks, gowns, IV kits, blood collection tubes, nasal cannula, and bandages. These are basic items and simple tools that can make a world of difference. We also included some gently used diagnostic equipment that wouldn’t rely on a constant power supply.
Boxes started piling up in my living room. They were boxes full of hope.
I felt lucky to be there the day the shipment arrived in Cameroon. The doctors and nurses, their faces etched with relief and gratitude, eagerly sifted through the boxes. It was beautiful chaos, a testament to the power of simple tools in the right hands.
Lessons learned
The impact of the boxes wasn’t just felt in that underserved hospital in Cameroon. This experience transformed my approach to medicine back home. It instilled a deeper appreciation for the resources I have access to. I found myself using basic tools more creatively and understanding their true value. It also opened my eyes to the global landscape of healthcare. This knowledge made me a more empathetic clinician, better equipped to understand the challenges faced by patients from diverse backgrounds.
Sharing my story with other clinicians has sparked a ripple effect. Several are asking to join forces to organize similar drives. Our world is interconnected. A healthy community in one corner of the globe contributes to a healthier world for everyone. By lending a hand, sharing resources, and fostering a spirit of collaboration, we can create a future where access to quality healthcare isn’t a luxury, but a reality for all. That box of supplies might have started small, but it ignited a fire of hope that can spread far and wide. Let’s work together to make that hope a reality.
This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.