“ Scratch The Back “

One shivering late cold winter, a stranger curiously travelled to the highlands of TIBET --- her mission: to extend Help to Traditional doctors and nurses in the Land she calls since childhood – “ The Lost Horizon. “
Buddhist Monks bestowed the stranger [a Filipina Mission Doctor], with a modest accommodation, that she refers to as acceptable. It never occurred to her, that late winter would be as low as -15°C.

Then came one late evening, one could sense the chilling whiff from the bare windows, three Tibetan men, panting to reach up the stairs of the clinic accommodation --- one said, a Primigravida woman on delayed labor needed HELP! The Rescue team, composed of Traditional doctors, nurses, Tibetan language translator and the stranger audaciously drove off to far-away Nomad’s home. On their way by road uphill, their tiny van, chased by huge, lustrous long-haired wild dogs – Rescue team kept their calm!

Further uphill, a throng of beautiful, vivid multi-colored stallions captured their gazes. What a Beautiful site to see on a full moonlit winter night with those effervescent , twinkling stars on the sky, brightly lit an isolated Nomad’s home in a “tent”, surrounded by a number of big, dozy “Yaks” lying down on cold, glistening snow-white ground.

The stranger rushed to the rescue and firmly said: Induce Labor now! It never bothered to them, that only a small burner lit the entire tent. About two past midnight, five hours later, with the stranger’s two strong hands, a huge Baby boy was pulled out. Baby boy came out “still”, with no cry nor motion --- the stranger yelled to everyone: Scratch the Back!!! All blank stares, their eyes gaping at her – No response. “Panicky” Tibetan language translator was nowhere to be found!

In seconds, the stranger firmly grasped the baby on one gloved hand, then the other gloved hand scratched the Baby’s back --- cold, pale Baby boy broke out in a loud agitated cry and All smiles – EveryOne did!
Since then, with their first ever experience on Induce labor and delivery, all Traditional doctors and nurses kept in their minds the Stranger’s call – “ Scratch the Back. “

From Lucy de la Cruz.
Medical Officer
MONUSCO, DRC