Italians caring for Mongolia

Published in 2008

“Volunteer travelling doctor”, Aldo Lo Curto, of Canzo, northern Italy, has returned from his 11th voyage of healing and learning in Mongolia, which is a regular destination on his annual expeditions in the service of humanity.

Accompanied by three female colleagues – Giorgia Bardelle, a general practitioner from Venice, and paediatrician Roberta Marzorati and physiotherapist Franca Benaglio, both from Como – Lo Curto spent three busy weeks in September crossing “a huge stretch of territory”, providing medical treatment, medicine and advice in town and village hospitals, schools and prisons. At each stopover, Dr Lo Curto and his colleagues saw dozens or hundreds of patients, communicating with them via three Mongolian interpreters, Zulaa, Enkhee and Pudghee.

Many of the people treated by the physicians are nomads, with little or no access to regular medical care.

The medical team also visited Buddhist nuns at the Dolmaling Monastery in the capital, Ulan Bator, and a residence for homeless elderly people run by the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa, in the Yarmag district, 15km from the capital.

To support the work of both the Buddhist and Catholic nuns, and for many other organisations in Mongolia, the Italian doctors passed on donations from individuals, charitable organisations and foundations in Europe.

Dr Lo Curto is already planning his 2008 visit to Mongolia and is drawing up a list of essential items, including an ambulance jeep for Mongolian villages, hospitals and schools to be bought with future donations from Europe.

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