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The Stethoscope and the Machete

My Journey Through the World of Humanitarian Medicine

  • Lumbini Medical College
  • Butaro District Hospital
  • Afghanistan
  • Maternity Hospital for Gaza
  • Princess Marina Hospital
  • Kyangwali Refugee Settlement
  • Return to Bocas
  • The Panama Journals

Category: Afghanistan

There are few places in the world as difficult to understand for outsiders as Afghanistan. A country that has been destroyed by war several times over the last 45 years, these hardships have also come with parallel crises like droughts, floods, and persistent poverty in the face of repetitive economic collapse. Since the consolidation of centralized power under new government in 2021, it has been difficult to know what to believe in the western media concerning the actual conditions within the country. Our project in November of 2024 presented a window into a world that has been hidden behind a veil for far too long.

Behind that veil I found many things I expected and some that I didn’t. To no surprise, medical services bear the scars of constant disruption that have hampered progress. This two-week capacity building project, while productive, was only the start of a something greater. Above all, beyond the armoured cars, government soldiers, pistachios, and sponge cake, I was struck by the humility, kindness, and warmth of the Afghan people.

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Warm, Humble, Hospitable, and Friendly

Warm, Humble, Hospitable, and Friendly

By juan.lopez, January 23, 2025
Posted in: Afghanistan

Through the next several days, I repeated the ultrasound course for a completely new cohort of residents. This time around I was able to improve on the first iteration, with…

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Warm, Humble, Hospitable, and Friendly
The Orphanage

The Orphanage

By juan.lopez, January 23, 2025
Posted in: Afghanistan

On the last day of the course, I merged the last case review session with Abdullah’s classroom session on biostatistics. An additional group of residents approached me to ask if…

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The Orphanage
A Body in One Bed and a Head in Another

A Body in One Bed and a Head in Another

By juan.lopez, January 14, 2025
Posted in: Afghanistan

The next day we hit the ground with a bit more pizzazz, and I was able to start only slightly later than our pre-arranged time of 9:00AM. We covered cardiac…

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A Body in One Bed and a Head in Another
Twelve Foreigners in a Hotel Conference Room

Twelve Foreigners in a Hotel Conference Room

By juan.lopez, January 6, 2025
Posted in: Afghanistan

After being woken by the sounds of Morning Prayer the following day, I got the ultrasound probes and tablets together before heading down to meet the team. Once everyone was…

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Twelve Foreigners in a Hotel Conference Room
Pistachios and Kalashnikovs

Pistachios and Kalashnikovs

By juan.lopez, January 6, 2025
Posted in: Afghanistan

There are few places in the world as difficult to understand for outsiders as Afghanistan. A country that has been destroyed by war several times over the last 45 years,…

Read More

Pistachios and Kalashnikovs

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