June 4,2003 Southeastern Virginia Jewish News 7
Nine days medical mission in Moldova "a life changing experience"
For Robert Lehman, a Norfolk
pediatrician, spending nine days in
Moldova on a Jewish Healthcare
International medical mission was a
life changing experience.
"It was heartbreaking to see sick
children in such a poor medical
environment," say Dr. Lehman.
Many of the things we te for
granted just aren't available. There
is no IV therapy lor babies, no
infant formula. I now have more
empathy and more connection to
those who have less."
Dr. Lehman took 'almost two
suitcases of medicines to Moldova,
a country with few medical
resources. "Health care in Moldova
is bleak and sporadic," comments
Dr. Lehman. For a routine urinaly-
sis patients must be admitted to the
hospital. Alternative medicine is
Widely practiced because traditional
naedicine is not available. Physi-
cians are paid $30 a month. There is
no continuing medical education
and medical technology is outdat-
Dr. Lehman took almost two
suitcases of medicines to
Moldova, a country with few
...dical resources.
The Feb. 2-11 mission was Jew-
ish Healthcare International's fn'st
Pediatric mission. With Dr. Lehman
Vere a RN cardiac specialist, an
Anaerican cardiologist, an Israeli
Pediatric nephrologist, an Israeli
COlogist and an RN from the
li Ministry of Health.
The medical team saw patients
at home and in the hospital. They
hthmet with local physicians and
care workers to help them
Work through the existing infra-
Strueture.
Life in the former Soviet Union
Untry is difficult. The Moldova
et Consists primarily of potatoes,
ts, cabbage, and radishes. The
• e bruary weather was cold and
Wtdy with grey skies and freezing
Dr. Lehman was in Kishinev, the
capital of Moldova. He discovered
aCtive, thriving Jewish commu-
mty. "I was surprised how vibrant
al Well accepted the Jewish com-
ty is. There are many youth
vities/arts and crafts programs,
zrner bands, Jewish plays and
, and museums. It is amazing
; w integrated the Jewish culture is
the general society. They could
aeh us something about Jewish
|tler|tity.,, •
j_ Dr. Lehman first heard about
Vlsh Healthcare International
urn Dr. Alan Wagner, a Virginia
ach opthalmolgist, who is the
president of the Atlanta based orga-
nization. Only four years old, JHI
aims to help serve the medical
needs of tbrmer Soviet Union coun-
tries, including Belarus,Ukraine
and Lithuania.
JHI is a cooperative effort
between Israeli and American med-
ical professionals. Participants pay
their own costs including trans-
portation to the mission location.
"Our goal is to be the central
address for Jewish international
healthcare volunteers," says Wagn-
er. "We are extremely proud of Dr.
Lehman and his leadership in start-
ing a JHI pediatric program."
For Dr. Lehman the time he
spent in Moldova is a vivid memo-
ry. In the midst of his busy life with
his wile and three children he often
remembers the people he worked
with and the people he met. "I hope
I made a small contribution to help-
ing the Moldovians.This was one of
the best experiences of my lit. It
made me proud to be Jewish."
Dr. Robert Lehman at Holocaust Memorial in Kishinev
Dr. Robert Lehman with 13 year-old FTF-Eugenii F
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