01/02/2026
In november 2025 heeft Dr. Kiran Patil voor de tweede keer drie dagen als vrijwilliger gewerkt in het Mungra Medisch Centrum (MMC). Tijdens zijn verblijf behandelde hij zowel opgenomen patiënten als patiënten van de polikliniek.
Naast zijn medische werkzaamheden heeft Dr. Patil ook ontmoetingen gehad met diverse prominenten en vrijwilligers uit Suriname. Tijdens deze gesprekken heeft hij het doel van Doctors for Sewa (DFS) toegelicht: het wereldwijd netwerk van Sewa International specialisten stimuleren om Suriname te bezoeken en, waar nodig, bij te dragen aan de gezondheid en het welzijn van de Surinaamse gemeenschap.
Dr. Kiran Patil is een erkend neuroloog verbonden aan Independence Health System in Butler, Pennsylvania (VS), en is tevens kernlid van het Doctors for Sewa team.
Na zijn vertrek uit Suriname schreef hij het onderstaande gedicht, geïnspireerd door zijn ervaringen en ontmoetingen.
November 22, 2025 — Paramaribo
I arrived in Suriname with two companions excitement for the work ahead and anticipation stirred by memories of Nickerie, 2023.
The warmth began at the airport with Ashwin ji and Abhinay,
and continued on the long road to Nickerie, where conversations with strangers turned the journey into reflection.
My residence at Mungra Medical Center felt like a home carefully prepared a quiet house, nourishing food, and simple comforts
that became companions in busy days.
In the surrounding homes lived physicians from the Netherlands—
families, conversations, fleeting connections and one of them, the great-grandson of Dr. Snellen, reminded me how history threads through our everyday lives.
Days began at 7:30 a.m. with sign-outs, followed by rounds, clinics, and the ongoing dance of medicine within limited resources no MRI, fewer medications, specialists hours away. Yet the spirit of care thrived, held together by volunteers and dedication.
Among the Hindustani patients, I felt something deeper an 83-year-old man, eyes wet, telling me he was touched that someone from his grandfather’s land had come to heal him. In that moment, I felt the weight and warmth of shared roots.
The temple brought another kind of nourishment Rudrabhishek, kirtan, volunteers stirring prasadam, and a young pujari moving seamlessly between Dutch, Hindi, and Sanskrit a bridge between worlds.
At the Gayatri Children’s Home, founded by Sewsagar ji Sewgobind in 1985, I saw resilience woven into the walls, and in caretaker Mrs. Balwantsingh Phaladsingh’s steady presence.
The hospital leadership welcomed me warmly, their only plea stay longer. Nickerie has been without a neurologist for a year, and I felt the tug of responsibility in their words.
On Friday, Michael—35 years with MMC drove me back to Paramaribo, sharing his stories of decades on the road between two cities and countless patients.
Later, with Wiresh ji, Ashwin ji, Armesh ji, and Ma Sanghchalak ji Ramanuj ji, we met Chairman Ashwin Adhin ji. Our conversation flowed around sewa, governance, and how together we can make the journey of serving easier, fuller, more impactful.
As I wait to board my flight, I hold the memories closely inspiring, humbling, joyful.
We live in a global village, and the wellbeing of Suriname is a thread in my own tapestry of responsibility.
“Together we serve better.”
Bridges built with compassion linger beyond borders.
I leave with gratitude, and with a small ache the feeling of unfinished care. Perhaps that is what will bring me back.
Kiran Patil
