"I'm going to Africa to help less fortunate children"

He left friends, family and his history behind, took a suitcase and armed with his passion for helping others, he left for Africa. Enrico Piga, 28, graduated from Dettori, graduated in Medicine at the University of Cagliari and specializing in Pediatrics at Sapienza in Rome, did not think twice: he jumped at the opportunity offered him by the organization "Doctors with Africa Cuemm ”and boarded a flight to Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania, where he landed on Thursday. Today on board a bus he will arrive at the Tosamaganga hospital, the only reference center for major obstetric emergencies that require the use of a caesarean. In the structure he will spend at least six months, certainly intense.

Passion

The story of Enrico Piga is similar to many talented Sardinians who have consciously left the island to grow both from a professional and a human point of view. A normal life, parents in Sestu, graduated from Dettori high school, graduated in Medicine in 2017. "Then I left for Rome where I am in my third year of specialization in Pediatrics at La Sapienza". Why Africa, why such a difficult land, why make yourself completely available to the less fortunate? “The answer is not easy. For some time I wanted to try this experience, only that they were looking for doctors already operating. I had little desire to be in Italy and a lot of curiosity to see different things. I wanted to know the world of cooperation ». Then the opportunity waited for a long time. «I immediately took advantage of the possibility of“ Doctors with Africa ”also offered to trainees flanked by a senior doctor, I will get to know a different reality and way of doing medicine up close».

Nutella in your suitcase

The parents reassured them, "they went along with my will, they are used to separation, even my brother engineer lives far away", he projected his future, at least until March next year, so far away. «It is my first experience in Africa. I am finally able to leave, this is a great opportunity for us trainees. What drives me to go is the search for new stimuli, the curiosity for a world so different from the one I live in. I also feel a strong desire to try my hand in the field of cooperation, also to understand if it can be my path, which is why it is important to have this experience now for me. I carry Nutella in my suitcase and a great desire to learn and get involved ».

Expectations

Enrico Piga knows well that it is not a game and the difficulties to be faced will be many. “Yes, I am aware. It will be a tough experience, especially the approach will be shocking, but I am very motivated

The hospital

The Tosamaganga hospital, where Enrico will work, is available to a population of over 800,000 people, in a rural area of Tanzania, guaranteeing pediatric services, safe birth for thousands of women, but also treatment against malaria, tuberculosis. , HIV and emerging chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. The fight against maternal mortality is a priority for “Doctors with Africa CUAMM” which in one year in Tosamaganga helped to assist 2,930 deliveries, 42% of which were classified as obstetric emergencies.

Andrea Artizzu