As an anesthesiologist, my job is to ensure that patients undergo surgery safely and without pain. In a modern hospital setting, I have access to advanced monitoring systems, a full team of medical professionals, and the latest medications to manage pain and sedation. But in many parts of the world, medical care is not as accessible. Millions of people suffer because they lack access to basic surgical procedures, pain relief, or anesthesia. This is why I have spent a significant part of my career participating in humanitarian missions—because pain and suffering should not be dictated by geography or resources.
Witnessing the Reality of Medical Need
When I first volunteered for a humanitarian medical mission, I thought I understood what I was walking into. I had read about global health disparities and had seen images of overcrowded clinics in developing nations. But nothing could have prepared me for the reality of what it means to provide medical care in these environments.
I remember walking into a small rural hospital in the Caribbean, where a line of patients stretched out the door. Some had traveled for days to reach us, carrying children with congenital conditions or waiting for procedures they had needed for years. Unlike in the United States, where surgical cases are often scheduled weeks or months in advance, these patients had one chance to receive care. If we didn’t operate, they might never get another opportunity.
Resources were scarce. The anesthesia machines were outdated, and some medications we take for granted in modern hospitals were unavailable. In many cases, we had to adjust our techniques, relying on spinal anesthesia instead of general anesthesia or using nerve blocks when certain sedatives were in short supply. It was a stark reminder that medicine is not just about technology—it is about adaptability, problem-solving, and teamwork.
The Role of Anesthesiologists in Humanitarian Work
Many people think of anesthesiologists as the doctors who put patients to sleep for surgery, but our role is much more than that. We are also experts in pain management, critical care, and emergency medicine. In a humanitarian setting, these skills become even more essential.
During medical missions, anesthesiologists not only provide sedation and pain relief for surgeries but also manage complex cases where patients have little access to prior medical care. I have seen patients with infections that went untreated for years, children born with cleft lips and palates who struggle to eat, and accident victims who never had proper wound care. Each case requires careful decision-making because the risks are different when there is no access to an intensive care unit or advanced imaging.
Pain management is another crucial aspect of our work. Many patients in these settings have suffered in silence for years, enduring conditions that could have been treated with simple interventions. Through nerve blocks, medication management, and even alternative approaches like acupuncture, we can provide relief to those who thought pain was an unavoidable part of their lives.
Facing Challenges in the Field
Working in a humanitarian setting is rewarding, but it comes with significant challenges. The emotional toll is immense. There are always more patients than we can treat, and difficult decisions must be made about who can receive surgery. Unlike in a well-funded hospital where every patient gets the care they need, medical missions operate on limited time and resources.
One of the most heartbreaking aspects is encountering patients we cannot help. I once met a woman in Mexico who had lived with an untreated tumor for years. By the time we saw her, surgery was no longer an option. We provided as much comfort as possible, but I couldn’t shake the thought that if she had access to earlier care, her outcome might have been different.
Another challenge is the physical and mental exhaustion. Days on the field start early and end late, with back-to-back surgeries, limited breaks, and makeshift accommodations. There are moments when fatigue sets in, but then you see the face of a child waking up from surgery, free of pain for the first time in their life, and the exhaustion no longer matters.
The Lasting Impact of Humanitarian Work
Despite the challenges, I continue to return to the field because the impact of this work is profound. Every surgery performed changes a life—not just for the patient but for their entire family. A child who receives cleft palate surgery can now eat, speak, and interact with confidence. A mother who undergoes a simple procedure to relieve chronic pain can now care for her children again.
Humanitarian work has also changed me as a physician. It has reinforced my belief that medicine is not just about technology or hospital prestige—it is about human connection. Some of the most meaningful moments of my career have not been in state-of-the-art operating rooms but in small, crowded clinics where a simple touch, a reassuring word, or a successful procedure brought hope to someone who had lost it.
A Call to Action for Medical Professionals
For any medical professional considering humanitarian work, I encourage you to take the leap. It will challenge you in ways you never expected, but it will also remind you why you chose this path in the first place. There is no greater fulfillment than using your skills to relieve suffering, regardless of where a patient is born or their ability to pay.
Anesthesiologists, in particular, have a unique role to play. Our expertise in managing pain, providing sedation, and handling critical cases makes us invaluable in resource-limited settings. Whether through large international organizations or smaller independent missions, there are countless opportunities to get involved.
Medicine is not just about treating symptoms—it is about restoring dignity, alleviating suffering, and making a tangible difference in people’s lives. In the operating room, I work to ensure my patients feel no pain. In the field, I work to ensure that, even in the most challenging conditions, no one is forgotten.
This is why I do what I do. And it is why I will continue answering the call to serve, wherever that may be.