BMJ 2006;332:279 (4 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7536.279-a
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A memorable patient
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I am an Indian physician working in francophone Haiti (described as the poorest country in the western hemisphere) in a hospital named after Albert Schweitzer. He never visited Haiti, but his work and philosophy (reverence for all life) inspired Larimer Mellon and his wife, Gwen, to build this hospital 50 years ago to serve Haiti's rural poor. Haitians are endearing for their quiet dignity, especially when they are ill.
Leading a ward round, I greeted the next patient in her native language of Creole, and our confident and accomplished US nurse practitioner presented her "case" in English. The patient politely watched the proceedings and intervened quietly at the end of the presentation: "Now, please tell me exactly what you have told the doctor."
Venkita Suresh, physician
Hospital Albert Schweitzer, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (suresh{at}hashaiti.org)
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