Young Burgenlander

For this doctor, real help knows no boundaries

Bernhard Gasser (center) with his African colleagues.

(Bild: zVg)

A dedicated doctor at Eisenstadt Hospital has mastered a new surgical technique that is now also benefiting people in Africa.

Six years ago, Bernhard Gasser (36), a specialist in orthopaedics and traumatology, spent three months working in the emergency department of a township hospital in Cape Town. Little technology, more direct diagnostics with his own senses and therapy with simple means - these experiences made him feel that he wanted to work again in an environment that cannot be compared with a Central European hospital.

One day, a friend drew the Salzburg native's attention to Cosmas, an association for the promotion of hospital medical development work. For over 20 years, he has been working with the Agostinho Neto Hospital in Praia on the West African archipelago of Cape Verde. Many locals there suffer from shoulder instability, which leads to sudden dislocation of the shoulder - for example when putting on a T-shirt.

A doctor with a passion: Berhard Gasser.

(Bild: © Mang Stefan)

Learning for life
This requires an operation that was previously not in the repertoire of the local healthcare system. But it's an operation that Gasser has mastered: "My joy at being able to join Dr. Murtala Queita's team was all the greater when I learned that I could contribute to solving the problem and introduce the Latarjet surgical technique locally so that the African doctors could one day master it independently."

When Gasser arrived, the first pain patient was already waiting. However, the CT images showed such advanced joint degeneration that even an operation was 15 years too late. Instead of leaving discouraged, Gasser stayed and learned alongside Dr. Queita how to treat complex fractures with improvisation: "I gained experience that I would never have in Austria. That boosted my self-confidence immensely."

In Cape Verde, a striking number of people suffer from shoulder instability.

(Bild: zVg)

Because Bernhard Gasser shares his knowledge, the quality of life of many patients has improved enormously - also in Africa.

(Bild: zVg)

Intercultural cooperation
Just a few days later, Gasser performed the first operation on another patient. His co-surgeon and he had never seen each other before. Nevertheless, only a few words were needed between them as they left the boundaries of medical care behind them with a shared understanding of their work. The next procedure took place shortly afterwards. "The excellent teamwork and the resulting friendship have made such an impression on me that I'm already looking forward to a longer-term collaboration," says Gasser.