Association of Medical Doctors of ASIA, founded in 1984, Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC since 1995

In October 2017, AMDA Bangladesh and AMDA Headquarters jointly launched a year-long medical relief at Kutupalong Refugee Camp in Ukihia, Cox’s Bazar with Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital (JBFH). In response to the dire situation of Rohingyas who have been seeking refuge from Myanmar, AMDA Bangladesh has been offering medical services at AMDA’s temporary clinic set in the vicinity.
 
In this article, we would like to introduce some of its members who are working tirelessly to help the refugees in the camp.
 
Mr. Bilal (pharmaceutical clerk)

Six days a week, about eight staff members of AMDA Bangladesh have been providing medical support at Kutupalong Refugee Camp. For their convenience, all of the members have been living in a shared house in the outskirt of the camp as their original homes are far away.
 
Mr. Bilal has been taking care of the stock of medicine in the clinic. After completing the mandatory 12-year education, he worked at a pharmacy in Dhaka for a year. During that time, a store manager (also a pharmacist) taught him how to handle medicine from 9am to 9pm six out of seven days in a week. Through this experience, he learned how to deal with customers while deepening his pharmaceutical knowledge.
 
2017 was a major turning point in his life. He applied for a position in JBFH after hearing that JBFH was looking for a pharmaceutical clerk. Although he wasn’t selected for the position, he soon got the opportunity to join AMDA Bangladesh medical relief team. This chance was arranged by Mr. Sardar A. Razzak (Executive Director of AMDA Bangladesh) who knew his integrity and motivation toward work.
 
October 19th was his first visit to the camp as part of the team. After loading a car with medicine, he left Dhaka, and arrived at Cox’s Bazar, the nearest city to the refugee camp.
 
AMDA Bangladesh has been continuously employing one person from Rohingya refugees. Mr. Bilal paired up with him and has been working together since the medical relief began. When doctors prescribe drugs, Mr. Bilal gathers what medicine is needed and the hired Rohingya staff instructs patients on how to take it as some of them have never taken drugs before. The Rohingya staff uses a Bengali dialect, their native language, to explain the details repeatedly. It has been a lot of help for Mr. Bilal as well. “I have been learning so many things from the relief activity with other members. I’m proud of being part of this humanitarian aid,” he said.
 
Ms. Shahana (midwife)

A midwife of AMDA Bangladesh plays a significant role in the refugee camp. Her name is Ms. Shahana, who is the only midwife on the team (others include doctors, nurses, operations coordinators and medical assistants). She has been examining some of the pregnant and postpartum women during their daily operations since there are a considerable number of expectant mothers in the camp.
  
During her daily consultation, there was a case in which a mother living in a temporary housing had just given birth an hour before with the help of a local traditional midwife. As Ms. Shahana heard the mother was suffering from a pain after the delivery, she decided to go over to her place. On the way, many temporary houses stood close to each other, which forced her to go through other people’s houses to reach her place.
 
At first, it was hard to recognize the mother and her newborn baby, and even herself in darkness as there was no electricity in the house. After she managed to get a light and a pair of gloves, Ms. Shahana closely examined her and carried out a manual removal of placenta on her. When the treatment was done, the mother felt relieved and smiled. Her healthy baby seemed to weigh less than three kilograms.
 
Ms. Shahana is an experienced midwife who also has three children in Gazaria. She is now living in Cox’s Bazar, near the refugee camp, away from her children. Although she often misses them, every time she sees Rohingya children surrounded in harsh environment, her heart aches. That motivates her to do everything possible for Rohingya women in a limited amount of time.
 
We have been taking meticulous care of Rohingya refugees, especially the mothers and children. Every time, each one of us is learning a lot from their strength despite the hardships they have been going through.