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In rural China, Gynecological Oncologist Dr Amnon Amit taught young doctors how to best use laparoscopy, and performed a number of such procedures himself. Dr Amit discusses his experiences with Rambam Health Care Campus Newsletter
On August 1, 2010, Dr Amnon Amit, a gynecological oncologist at Rambam Health Care Campus (RHCC) took off for a three-week stint in Xinghua in northeastern China. The task: to teach the medical staff there how to use laparoscopy in gynecological oncology. The catch: most of the medical personnel couldn’t speak English and by today’s medical standards, the available equipment was ancient.
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Dr Amnon Amit and the Xinghua's hospital medical staff members. © RHCC |
Dr Amit had been approached by MATAT, a non-political organization , which seeks to bring Israeli assistance, on a voluntary basis, to different communities around the world. Not limited to medical issues, MATAT sends missions of volunteer experts who specialize in such disciplines as agriculture, education and architecture, to the places that need them most. Pinpointing a demand for a gynecological oncologist in rural China, the organization turned to Dr Amit, who immediately agreed to lend a hand.
Arriving in the 120,000-resident Xinghua, which is considered a “village” in China, Dr Amit was sent to the town’s only hospital, a basic 1,200 bed facility. There, he was assigned to a full-time simultaneous translator, who helped him explain surgery, with a healthy supplement of hand movements and gestures.
In addition to teaching, Dr Amit performed laparoscopic surgeries to remove tumors from the ovaries and uteruses of 18 patients.
“This region is undergoing huge changes, but it still must close great gaps,” says Dr Amit. “The conditions in the hospital where I worked were like those at Rambam many years ago.” Dr Amit added that the hospital had no air conditioning, or rooms for doctors and central administration. Currently, a new medical facility is being built to serve Xinghua’s growing population.
According to Dr Amit the hospital’s staff was highly motivated and dedicated, but were not updated in modern methods. “They had no Internet, no English – the primary language of all medical literature – and were simply isolated,” says Dr Amit.
“This was a beginning though, we were able to expose them to modern medicine,” says Dr Amit. Plans are now underway to bring the Chinese team to Rambam, as well as for a return trip of Rambam personnel.
Would Dr Amit participate in another such mission? “Why not?” he exclaims. “All of us should do what we can do to help. Through this effort, the people of Xinghua received much-needed medical attention. They also got to know a little about Israel, regarded us in a completely positive light, and were grateful for our services. Not only did this address a widespread medical need, it was the best possible type of diplomacy for Israel.”
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