Regardless of how we technologically advance in leaps and
bounds…mysteries beyond our comprehension still abound.
For months, I heard rumors that our clinic’s manager, aside from recruiting nurses to fill the gap in our staffing, is also bringing another
GP doctor from Egypt. I didn’t believe the doctor's diagnosis because there was no
need for it. Our clinic is small, and with half of the town having left for a safer place to escape the errant bombs from across the border with Yemen, the number of patients has been markedly reduced.
The other Egyptian GP and I can manage a 16-hour shift from 8:00 am to 12 midnight. Although our clinic’s
manager/owner informed the Egyptian GP that another doctor would be coming, he did not inform me. He would have told me if it was true, so I took it for a joke, which he often does, but the other doctor is distraught. It means that one of us
will have to go, and since I have no issue with the manager or with everyone else in the clinic, he was afraid; it could be him. He kept asking if the manager had told me or if he had called me to his office or talked with me about it, but I assured him that he hadn’t. Several times, he asked me to come with him and speak to the manager, but I refused, knowing it to be untrue.
Two weeks ago and while crossing the street near our clinic;
a boy driving a GMC hit him. The hospital is a minute drive from our clinic. He
had multiple fractures (5 fractures in his legs and arms). He had 4 surgeries ever
since and he is recovering well. I heard that his wife is coming anytime now
and when he is well enough to travel; they will go home to Egypt.
I usually do a 16 hours duty whenever the Pediatrician or
the other GP went for a leave but with the ravages of time…I find the burden
harder and harder to bear.
“The new doctor arrived today,” one of the nurses retorted
as we crossed path in the hallway.
I said, “What?” it was the 3rd day of the accident
meaning I have been on duty 16 hours a day for the last 3 days.
“He will start his duty tomorrow. You can relax,” she said
with a smile.
I wanted to jump and dance…!
