Yemeni surgeon in Belarus – about his job and his love for our village and sour cream

Nine years ago, a guy from Yemen arrived in Belarus. I studied at the Belarusian State Medical University, I graduated from residency and a year ago, I started working. A few sentences about the joys of the profession: "A man comes to you with a serious injury, after looking after him, you let him go home and he's already gone. This is the best part. "

"Your place is on the market, sell watermelons"

Abdul came to Minsk in 2010 with a scholarship from the Yemeni state. When he finished his studies in ninth grade, his father asked: "Do you want to get married or study?" In Yemen, they get married very early. The guy chose to study. At the age of 15, he went to Sana, the capital, 200 km from his home and three years later he managed the badog of our gym with a chemical profile and biological. Then his father (the family could afford such a thing) sent him to India to study English for eight months: at first it was expected that Abdul would move to the UK. After clbad, the guy returned to Yemen and entered the medical institute, but he left. He said that it was not his nature and his culture.

– I've already managed to see something else. In Yemen, many uneducated people live a day and think only about marriage. At first, they wanted to send me to Azerbaijan. I did not know Belorussia, only Russia. One day, he accidentally met a person and told him not to go to Baku: they say that they are restless and that they do not like strangers. Advised Belarus. So I came. I remember that it was so cold that I developed appendicitis and underwent surgery. And in general, at first, it was very difficult: he did not know anyone and did not understand the language.

To enter the Belarusian Medical University, a foreigner must take Russian language courses every year. Abdul arrived in March and mastered the language in five months just in time for the start of the school year.

– It was hard. I do not like stress, "my, hers, yours" and cases. The paperwork at the hospital was not easy either, but I'm not afraid to ask. I also know the Belarusian words: "kali caresse", "pryvtanne", "kahay", "tsukar" … Few people speak Belarusian here, although it is a very beautiful language. Once I went to the village, there, my grandmothers speak Belarusian, I love talking to them! And they like strangers: Belorussians are a very kind people. I do not want to leave here. How to think about it, scary. I love your people and nature.

Abdul studied at BSMU for six years, then another two years at BSMP, where he stayed at work.

– After the sixth grade, I went to surgery and I thought I could operate in a month. But for that, you must know the anatomy well and practice a lot. My first day was in trauma, where I am working today. And the manager was the same as now. I respect and love my manager (smiles – Approx Onliner)… In the operating room, he constantly shouted at me because I did not know anything. Honestly, I did not even know the basics: knot, badist. And he often said to me, "My dear Abdul, I am a very experienced surgeon. This is not your place Your place is in the market, sell watermelons there. "He was right because I helped him very badly, but he tried very hard – Abdul remembers the beginning of his work.

His friend Ricardo then worked in the same department. In addition to the usual shifts, Abdul exercised all his duties for two years. He says that they have helped him a lot and taught everything. And then with the director, they made fun of the history of the market and watermelons.

"But he was right, I did not respect myself for such work." I was very scared and I was worried. The adaptation only occurs when I recognize a person well. Now, I'm not worried. The essential is to never be afraid and to be confident. Sometimes you do not know anything, but there are some who know better – you can call and consult rather than worry. No one has ever refused my help. Nobody knows everything.

Abdul has a ritual – be sure to call his family at least once a week. He says that it helps to stay in a good mood and calm, which is very important for the surgeon. But at work, he knows how to disconnect feelings: speed is important in an ambulance.

"I like to receive my patients quickly and well, and I always make sure that they are immediately sent for examination." Often, I psyche and scold medical personnel, I rush people. Then I apologize and blame myself. But they do not take offense, because I love them, – Abdul smiles and says that he does not control himself only in the work. – If my father was a nurse, and would shout at him.

"In Belarus, you can make drugs for money for alcoholics and the unemployed"

It seems that the doctor is ready to talk about his job for hours. We meet him after work – we have not slept for a day and a half. Visibly tired, Abdul talks about medicine and his hot-eyed patients:

– I can not even compare Yemeni medicine to Belarusian medicine. Here it is highly developed, including technologically. And in Yemen, everything is paid, it's just a bargain. If you have money, you will be examined, you will not pay – no one will even look. Yes, doctors are rich there, but they do not grow. Here you continue, even if you receive an average salary. Nobody cares about the patient's condition there. If you operate, you will receive money. Money is the main thing. And here we operate and treat patients without thinking about money.

He says that in Belarus you can make drugs for money for alcoholics and the unemployed. The state spends a lot of money on these people. Abdul is offended.

– We work with combined injuries – this is often the result of a drop in height after drinking. We perform a CT scan of the neck, chest, abdomen – we perform many exams for people for whom the state receives nothing. In parishes, they behave at home when we treat and observe them. We try, but they do not care … For me, all patients are the same, I treat everyone. When a person arrives, no matter who he is, alcoholic or not. I'm trying, but I see that he is not doing anything. The nurse takes care of him, the prescription cleans. After a month or even a few days, this alcoholic comes with another wound: he went home and fell intoxicated.

The surgeon has regular clients – mostly drunk homeless people.

– You write at home at 11 am and 12 pm and at 1 pm, bring it back. And then, you do not know whether to let him leave after the treatment or not. He was admitted with a slight head injury, returned home, fell – and is already brought with a moderate degree. I will send it now, and what will happen? In a good way, you have to put it in the room. For alcoholics, we are very worried and spend a lot of energy on them. Do not worry sober: he was examined and left. Recently, I thought: when will someone already sober arrive? And for the day, there was only one independent person – a pregnant girl (had an accident).

Our hero tells us that alcoholics employees also come to him who does not want to go to work and inflicts injuries on behalf of the list of sick. Most often, they are brought in at night on Sunday or Monday morning.

– They can hit each other and already know what complaints to call. If a person acts without proof, she must be obliged to pay. There are families who bring their grandmother to the hospital – and the dosvidos do not appear anymore. Several grandmothers spent three or four months at home. She is recovering, an ambulance brings her home – nobody opens her. Then the grandmother is brought back to us. And many times, – The doctor says with regret. – And I would collect these alcoholics somewhere … (laughs – About Onliner) separately, in short! Other people are not very happy to be among them. I am ready to work with such, but in a specialized department. They stink, maybe with scabies. And the others must support it. I can go to another office and take only those alcoholics.

The most difficult time for doctors is to inform parents of the patient's death

The last time Abdul saw his family in 2011. In Yemen, constantly agitated. Although in Belarus, the surgeon often risks death.

– My patients fall on construction sites and, in general, fall into an accident. And many die. The most unpleasant moment for me is to inform families. Someone thinks that doctors are not afraid of that. But no, we are afraid. And we never forget these people, we always try to help. We want each other And the most painful moment is when young people die. In a shift, there are two or three deaths, He said distressedly.

Abdul says that with time, doctors get used to it, trying to forget and do something else. You must be distracted, but it does not always come out.

"Some of the dead are still dreaming." I can not forget the 25 year old guy. I informed his uncle, his mother-in-law, his wife. Then his father came: "I am so-and-so, I want to know the state of health of my son." I still can not … He came to discover the state, and you give the documents and things of his son, "It is difficult for Abdul to speak, but he continues." – One guy recently fell from the third floor and was operated on. His grandfather, his wife and his children were sitting and waiting. The condition is stable, stable, stable … Departure – is already deceased. What to say? You are trying to get out of this. Doctors try to send messages to their loved ones. I too work as a team. Sometimes I report, sometimes I ask a traumatologist. And that's me. This is the most painful subject. Of course, we try not to be fatal, not to feel guilty. But it happens.

The surgeon says that relatives of the deceased often accuse doctors, but we must understand: it is a great loss for a person. He says doctors try to prevent conflict and explain everything in a human way. Even if parents scream, you must listen carefully and calmly. Nevertheless, there are many who thank for their efforts and understand what it is about.

– But we do not expect gratitude, we just do our job, – said Abdul. – Those who complain and swear, forget me quickly. I think so, all the doctors. How many conflicts were there, but I do not remember one.

Abdul says that he is starting to be friends with some patients. Someone who comes after leaving his job to chat with him ("they are like parents to me").

"Some people respect me a lot and always smile." Why First, the language, the accent. It is fun and fun to talk to someone, but I am not offended. I am sometimes called Hindu, an alcoholic tells me "commander" (laughs – About Onliner). It is difficult for Belarusians to contact me by name and surname. They call each other by their last name, simply "doctor" or "young man". This is a disadvantage for patients – they are shy, because my badge is very long (Abdulfattah Al-Audi – Approx Onliner). Therefore, I introduce myself as Abdul Abdulovich or Abdul Grigorievich – a doctor from the residence called me like that! Patients sometimes call, "Can I have Abdul Grigorievich?" – "We do not have any!" But I tell them: call whatever you want, I'm always happy, He smiles shyly.

But it happens and vice versa – unpleasant. Sometimes patients, especially the older ones, do not trust him:

– They will talk to me and ask the Belarussian doctor.

"If I go back to Yemen now, I will receive three salaries from Minsk"

In BSMP, Abdul works at a rate and a half. The usual schedule is 8 to 16 hours, plus eight daily shifts per month. It happens that for a shift, it takes 20 to 30 people.

– They give an extra charge – I never refuse because I love my job and I get bored at home … sometimes. Now I have three shifts a week. I am happy to help and save.

At a rate and a half, the surgeon earns up to 1,500 rubles a month. Abdul has been seen repeatedly working abroad – in the UAE and Bahrain.

"But I've never thought and do not want to, I'm fine here." If you go, it will be a business. You will earn 10 to 20 times more than in Belarus, but what pleasure? Am I going for money? If I return to Yemen now, I will receive three salaries from Minsk. But I will become a businessman, not a doctor, why? My friends went to work in Germany as family doctors. There are insurance medications and in Belarus we help for free, at the expense of the state. And it's a grateful job. If my salary will be enough only for a rented apartment and eat a minimum? I do not look at wages at all. I am ready to work even for free, – He laughs embarrbaded and says, as if secretly: – And I really like Belarus, respects the state. You are very calm and safe, unlike Yemen.

"I planted potatoes with my friends in the countryside …"

Abdul even likes the attitude of the Belorussians. And more, he loves our sour cream. He says there is no such product in Yemen.

– I always eat sour cream: morning, afternoon and evening. I can take brown bread and eat with sour cream. I love chicken fillet, cheese and egg chops. Draniki likes to eat in the morning. At our buffet, everyone buys three or four potato pancakes and I say: twelve pieces! And recently I tried Moonshine. Everyone spoke to me about it, but I did not understand what it was. But I did not like it, it's not mine. I love the mulled wine in the winter, it is very romantic – when the first snow falls.

Yemenis are very fond of Belarussian villages with goats, cows, potatoes and tractors.

– I planted potatoes, cucumbers, carrots and salad at my friends' house. And more flowers. I go myself and the field between work. Arriving at the village, I forget everything. If I do not go to the sea, I will spend my holidays there.

In the future, Abdul plans to buy land in Belarus, build a house and plant a garden.

"I'm going to live here." Sometimes I tell a psychopath that I'm leaving, but it's going fast. I work and want to develop here. I am going to do graduate studies in absentia, then doctoral studies. Now, I want to understand abdominal injuries well, in the future, I must know everything and be able to do everything in my field. It takes a lot of time, but it is possible.

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