“You have to tend to the patients no matter what” Dr Anna Jakkel, from the new host centre in Körmend

It’s barely been a week since the first shelter-seekers arrived in the host camp at the yard of the technical college of Körmend from the host centre in Bicske. The institution has been through the first scandal since then. However, globoport.hu asked Dr Anna Jakkel, the volunteer doctor of the African Hungarian Union (AHU) about a different subject.

Globoport: When and why did AHU decide to send medical support to Körmend?

• AHU regularly sends medical missions to developing and poor countries. This is how they are: they help wherever they can. Since we’ve worked in the host centres of Nagyfa, Körmend, Bicske and Vámosszabadi last year, they asked us to help now as well.

Globoport: How many people are there in Körmend from AHU? How many consulting hours do you have?

• It’s only me here for now, but a colleague will join me later from Várpalota. As I’m also doing my gp district in Kecskemét, I’m only here for 2-3 hours. The members of the Red Cross, the Hungarian Baptist Aid and the Hungarian Interchurch Aid are also here, so there is permanent medical staff.

Globoport: How many patients can you attend to in 2-3 hours?

• This changes every day. On average, 30-35 people need medical attendance a day. There are currently 210 people at the host centre, but this number will grow very quickly.

Globoport: What kind of diseases and complaints do they turn to you with?

• The problems are the same as last year. Colds due to the travelling and tiredness, stomach and bowel troubles, skin diseases. However, most of them don’t suffer from physical problems, rather from depression, bleakness, helplessness. We bind the wounds, give medicine, but we can’t treat their biggest problems.

Globorport: Is there a psychologist at the host centre?

• For now, we are happy that we’re here. But there are still not enough of us, not to mention that I am the only doctor! The place opened on the 2^nd of May, so we’re still gathering. We are now trying to provide sporting opportunities for the dwellers and to involve them in volunteer work. They respond very well to our requests, because they need to be occupied, to let off steam, and to find meaning in their days. Unemployment, helplessness and buckling up only create negative thoughts.