Medical Bytes Thailand no 117: ‘Privation and suffering”
The following is a guest opinion article from Doc Martyn.
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Medical Bytes Thailand no 117: ‘Privation and suffering”
The following is a guest opinion article from Doc Martyn. His opinions and advice are entirely his own and may not necessarily be those of The Pattaya News Company Limited. His contact information can be found at the end of the article.
Part 1:
In accordance with the Sawang (emergency rescue team) philosophy, I am taking donations to help the disadvantaged in Thailand’s remote regions. The donation system is not about money, it is about advancing the care and health of people living in privation. Obviously, money is helpful, but so are any other forms of donations; clothes, water, food (not fresh food), building materials, tools, pots and pans, plates, glasses, indeed anything.
My recent charity visit to Chaiyaphum was the first time I received donations. They were in the form of 2 prams and a host of second-hand baby clothes. My Rocco was packed to the ceiling, see photos 1 and 2. These items were donated by a lovely couple, Luke and Ellie from www.pattayababyequipmentrental.com. The donations were offered without request. Apparently, the couple had been following me on Facebook and understood what I was trying to achieve in remote Thailand regions.
The first recipient was an unmarried expectant mother. She received the two prams and clothes, see photos 3 and 4. The second donation was to a married mother with a 2-month-old baby.
This mother was living in significant privation see photos 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. When we left the home Dao told me this lady’s story. Apparently, they have little or no money. The mother went through her entire pregnancy without any antenatal screening or care.Her husband smokes Yabba. One morning she experienced abdominal pain. She walked over 2kms to the house that her husband was commissioned to build. When she arrived, she had to go to the toilet. Instead of relieving herself she delivered her baby into the pedestal. I was horrified about this story. I presented the donated clothes but I did not look at the baby. A mistake that will not be repeated.
I returned the following day to examine the baby. This is a standard neonatal, newborn, health assessment. The child was perfect.
Part 2:
It has come to my attention that some people believe that what I do as a medic is contrary to Thai law. This is not correct. A patient of mine sent me the following warning: This is the abridged version:
Just a thought…be careful and take care…A: There are a lot of gotchas here and a lot of jealous folks also….B: IMHO I wouldn’t be posting things on Facebook, such as administering injections or seeing patients…or ESPECIALLY, and don’t use the word WORK…..C: I don’t believe you are licensed and have work permission bought and paid for….. Casual second-opinion conversations may slide by, but saying you worked may not…..D: Just be careful, and even if you have someone important in your pocket, things can change here in a flash.
In response to these four issues, I say: A. Jealousy is a terribly destructive emotion that eats away at the soul. I was privileged to attend Medical School and I have thoroughly enjoyed my 40 years as a Medic. Perhaps when these gotchas and jealous folk reincarnate they could apply for medical school, which should appease their troubled souls. B. Regarding the work I do: I have been a member of a Sawang team for years. This entitles me to give assistance to anyone in trouble. For the past 7 years I have attended all motor vehicle accidents I have seen. I preserve life until the Sawang team arrives. Because I am a medic, as a registered Sawang team member, I hold government VIP status. This places me above the management level of the Sawang teams. I am authorised to do what I wish to do to protect the welfare and lives around the country. C. And no, I am not registered to practice medicine because I am retired in Thailand and older than 60. Government workers must retire at 60. They can subsequently engage with a Sawang team, for whom they perform voluntary work. I am entitled to give injections and work to improve and/or save lives, because the normal Sawang member is not equipped with my medical skills. And I do all this work for free. D. My next-door neighbour in Buriram, a patient of mine, is the chief of police in Issan. If I breach Thai law, I would never ask him to help me, I would never seek favour from him and I would never ask him to compromise his integrity on my behalf, and nor should any of you.
I do not only give second opinions in Thailand, my advice is available to all, around the world. For example; last week an English lady working in Dubai flew to Thailand to see me. She had endured significant, mostly daily, left-sided head and face pain and torment for 17 years. Despite hundreds of thousands of pounds being spent on brain scans, EEGs, pathology tests, doctors’ fees, etc, none of the UK doctors, including specialist physicians, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and psychiatrists could help her. Even the Dubai doctors could not alleviate her pain. Considering the huge medical expenses spent trying to fix her problem, BUPA, her English Health Insurance, refused to pay for any further head and neck investigations and treatment.
When she arrived, I took a comprehensive history and without any pathology or radiology investigations confirmed that she had a left-sided neuralgia. I treated her pain with 2 steroid injections that day and another 2 injections the following day, prior to her departure back to Dubai. I also manipulated her cervical spine and gave her carbamazepine. It’s been 6 days since she left and she has been pain-free. An excellent result.
Finally, that, I must justify my existence is tedious and offensive to me. If any of you armchair medics and keyboard warriors wish to criticise me, please be my guest. I do not care about puerile criticism. But here is an offer: Why don’t you join a Sawang Team. Most of the members are unpaid Thais who are helping other Thais. If you change your mindset you may enjoy these wonderful people. I do. Further, if you really want to experience what I am doing, you could join my team on a charity visit. Helping people is a simple formula and, if you are only half like me, alleviating ‘privation and suffering’ will leave you replete with joy.
Addendum: Over the past 6 years, as a retired medic living in Buriram I offered second opinions on any medical issue. I recently moved to Pattaya. As in this case, if you reside outside of Pattaya, telephone consultations are provided. For assistance; please contact me, Doc Martyn, on Facebook or call Dao on 095 414 8145.