a lover of humanity

" The singlemost important qualification of the future doctor is that he or she must be a Lover of Humanity, blind to faith, colour and politics.

If I have a string of medical degrees and fellowships, is a tenured professor in a renowned university and has mastered the politics of high medical societies but do not care for the sick illiterate worker with a struggling family, I am like a bag of hot air or the static caused by the feedback of a handphone.

If I am a vocal teacher and yet if I do not lift a single finger to help a stranger in need, I am as plain useless to one who is hungry and lonely as an empty used chicken rice styrofoam container.

If I am a philanthropist and give much as aid relief to the poverty stricken but did it to achieve reputation and name, I have already have my reward which is my 15 minutes of fame. My ulterior motives, and other hidden agenda will eventually be revealed for all to see.

But if I see a poor patient and not see an irritation, an interruption to money making, a burden or a lesser being, and if I feel compassion and want to offer some help, I have loving kindness and compassion.

Loving kindness and compassion is the energy that helps makes life tolerable, for BOTH the patient and the doctor!

For us as medical personnel, the essential qualities are Loving kindness for Humanity, empathy and the clinical skills to help. Sitting with the patient in front of us, he is the Most important person for us at that time. In that moment of interaction, we try first and foremost to comfort, and secondly to heal if possible.

We develop happiness, contentment, and finally equanimity in this effort; happiness that we had touched another human positively, contentment that we had tried our best and equanimity when we fail to heal."

drwong