VCOM View Vol 11 No 1

As far as the future of these refugees, Nikzai said that he had concern in several areas. “They are grateful to have been evacuated, but they are so sad to leave their homeland on these terms,” said Nikzai. “They are worried about their future, they need to adopt English- speaking skills and they have to find work,” he added. Many had to leave family behind. In addition to hoping to help with medical assistance again, Nikzai said that he hoped to assist with fundraisers to help refugees

for all the refugees. Though short- staffed and under-resourced to begin with, the temporary medical center eventually started receiving needed supplies and equipment. “From a supply standpoint, every day got better and better,” said Nikzai. “On day one, it was basically just Tylenol and Advil – we were way better prepared on our mission trip to El Salvador,” he added. Nikzai said that they were seeing all kinds of medical issues in arriving refugees to include ankle fractures, gunshot wounds, pregnant women and individuals with chronic medical issues that had not been treated in weeks. “One pregnant woman was three days overdue and there was concern about who would be able to deliver the baby,” said Nikzai. “I had done a rotation with VCOM-Auburn OB-GYN Co- Chair Kenneth Harris, MD, and helped deliver almost 50 babies, so I said no problem, we can do this,” said Nikzai. “There were a lot of kids that were sick, and we didn’t have antibiotics to give them early on,” said Nikzai. There was great pressure to treat

patients quickly so they did not miss connecting flights to other parts of the country. Nikzai said he saw 60 patients per day in 12-14 hours with two other doctors. “There were some sick people that had to be sent to the hospital – life or death type situations,” said Nikzai. One particularly touching patient encounter involved a five-year-old patient that Nikzai spoke with. “I asked this child who they were with, who their responsible adult was, and the child pointed to an eight-year-old

“ These people have lost everything in their lives and if I can give them an ounce of hope and help them transition here, it is worth it to me” —Yousef Nikzai, VCOM-Auburn Class of 2022

acquire essentials like home goods. Nikzai also said that efforts were underway to assist refugees with college scholarships, and that he had planned to speak with Auburn

University officials about these efforts.

sister,” said Nikzai. “It was just the two of them and she was the adult,” he added. Nikzai noted that he also changed the dressings on a gunshot for a 13-year-old. “He had no father, his brother was gone and he was trying to protect his mom from the Taliban,” said Nikzai. “They broke his mom’s ankle and shot him in the arm when he resisted, but thankfully they made it to safety,” Nikzai added.

“When I was there helping patients, I was not concerned about time,” said Nikzai. “I thoroughly enjoyed being there to help out, and making a difference,” he said. “These people have lost everything in their lives and if I can give them an ounce of hope and help them transition here, it is worth it to me,” Nikzai added. ■

winter 2021 | VCOM V iew M agazine 11