Dear ones, when I hear what people like the emergency doctor Maja Blessing from the German Doctors achieve in their missions, I always feel very humble. The help they give people really does save lives. We were able to ask Maja, who has now started a family herself, about her mission in the Philippines. If you donate, you are welcome to do so here. THANK YOU!
Dear Maja, you are now a mum yourself and previously worked abroad as a doctor. When was that, where were you and for how long?
I was in the Philippines for six weeks in 2022. We travelled with a „rolling clinic“ to the remote villages, which are among the poorest in the country, to provide medical care to the local population. The villagers are often isolated in terms of infrastructure and the journey to the nearest hospital is often long and arduous, meaning that most of them have never seen a doctor in their lives. The consequences are serious.
In addition, the Philippines are repeatedly challenged by climate-related disasters, such as the recent one in November. This is precisely why the German Doctors regularly provide emergency aid there to support the population during the most difficult phases. My experiences there have strengthened my desire to return to the field as soon as my family and career allow.
Which illnesses did you mainly take care of on site?
I mainly treated infectious diseases, respiratory and diarrhoeal diseases, malnutrition, wounds and injuries as well as pregnancy and birth complications. But chronic untreated diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes and their serious consequences or advanced tumour diseases are also the reality for many.
Following the recurring typhoons and floods, we are also increasingly seeing climate-related health problems, such as traumatic injuries and skin infections. Many of these illnesses are curable, but local people are unable to afford the necessary medication.
Which touching situation from your mission do you still remember today?I am particularly moved by the memory of a woman who reflects the problematic situation on the ground. The woman was the last person to present herself to us that day. She was pregnant and had very high blood pressure. It quickly became clear that she had acute pregnancy poisoning. I could still hear the child’s heartbeat on site. Together with the villagers, we then carried her through the jungle on a stretcher for two hours to our car and drove four hours to the nearest hospital.
On site, unfortunately, the only diagnosis was the death of the unborn child. The woman had a caesarean section and survived. Unfortunately, she had to pay for the operation and medication herself. This meant that the family had to sell the coconut plantation, which meant financial ruin. When I arrived, I was greeted by a local colleague with the words: „If you are poor in the Philippines, you die“. The woman’s example showed that health is unfortunately not a right, but a privilege.
What was it like for those around you when you went out into the world to help?
I have received a lot of backing and support. My experiences and stories have helped many people around me to better understand the reality of the local population and the desire to help has grown in many of them.
What was it like for you? Saying goodbye, being away, coming back
The farewell was a mixture of excitement and respect for the assignment. On site, we were travelling every day, sometimes without being able to make contact, which made it difficult at times. However, our local colleagues were warm and caring. We lived together like a family during the six weeks.
Returning was the most difficult process for me. There was a phase of reflection on the gratitude for the stability in Germany, anger about global injustice, but also the feeling that the work there is not finished. That’s why I still have the desire to go back into the field today to make a long-term contribution to health care. Of course, this requires a little more planning, support and awareness now that I have a family and a child.
How did you get involved with the German Doctors?
I became aware of the German Doctors through a friend who also worked as an emergency doctor. I particularly liked the consistent focus on sustainable healthcare on the ground, coupled with rapid emergency aid in crisis situations, especially in view of the climatic challenges in the Philippines.
What makes the organisation special for you
?
The German Doctors stand for humanity, equal opportunities and sustainability. The work is always done with the local teams, not bypassing them. At the same time, the organisation is flexible and determined enough to provide regular emergency aid in the event of climate-related disasters. This mix of sustainability and responsiveness is what makes it special for me.
How does your environment react to the fact that you are also committed to people and health outside the box?Most people react with interest and are inspired. They are interested in the local background, precisely because the climate crisis is making medical aid even more urgent. Many are inspired to provide help themselves, whether through donations or on site.
You work there as a volunteer, what drives you
?
I am driven by the conviction that health is a universal human right and that we have a global responsibility to ensure that this is granted to everyone, especially in regions that are particularly vulnerable to poverty and climate change. The thought of being able to use my medical experience to help in a very concrete way continues to motivate me.
If you have learnt one thing through your commitment, what is it?That dignity and hope are universal, that we bear responsibility for each other in a globalised world and that even in the midst of great hardship, people can retain an impressive zest for life. Above all, I have learnt how much we can achieve by working together. My commitment has changed my value system and I am delighted to be able to share this view of the world with my son.
