Band-Aid for a Broken Leg by Damien Brown

Damien Brown is a young Australian doctor, who volunteered to work in Africa for the charitable organisation, Doctors Without Borders.  Working in countries like Sudan and Angola, he comes to learn just how different practicing medicine is in First and Third World nations.

On his first trip, Damien soon realises he’s in above his head and rather unprepared.  On the first day, his relationship with the local health workers doesn’t get off to a good start, culminating in a communication breakdown and staff walk out. Jumping from emergency to crisis, he deals with everything from victims of land mines and leopards, child malnourishment, gun-wielding militia, and performing life-saving surgeries in the most basic conditions.

Despite all the pressures that come with being a solitary doctor working in a third world hospital, he manages to keep his sense of humour and captures the absurdity of his situation, which makes this book an enjoyable and uplifting read.

Reviewed by YAH

Catalogue Link:  Band-Aid for a Broken Leg