One AMONG MANY

First person account of a war doctor, he wanted to resign from his profession.

“Here at Gaza beach, I was scared when four masked gunmen threatened me at gunpoint and asked to leave the spot immediately to avoid any unforeseen circumstances” — Dr. Aiman Al Salmi.

Thousand kilometers away in Gaza, as a fallout of hundred year old Holocaust teamed with present socio and geo-political unrest, today what is perceive as a nation’s high, I believe is fundamentally – nation in its lows – through a war doctor’s narration ,

I am not a first person account of a war, but a passive listener to a nobleman’s war account, as he boldly narrates.

Here through him, actively I can feel the power of war changing lives around us even though sitting miles away surfing through the news of conflict.

The many faces of war

War holds the power to direct changes that follow it. It can rightly be said that “if something evil is in its high; good is definitely higher.” — Swati Basu Das

War through the screens and pages are less fought but sought after.

For Dr. Aiman Al Salmi, war came in as a life changing experience. A journey that’s a tale of a lifetime.

It’s the tale of an expedition, deciding on how memorable the destination turns out to be. This tale is beyond the beauty of the land. It’s the massacre which is witnessed every moment.

Nothing is greater than a noble deed and nothing can be ever horrifying than nobility facing the wrath of mankind’s most belligerent act – War.   

Such is the overwhelming journey of an Omani doctor Dr. Aiman Al Salmi – through the war zone – whose unwillingness to be in medical profession as a child ironically led him to serving the war victims, disapproving his apathy about the noble profession.

Dr. Aiman, is an ethical man of courage with a mission to heal war victims beyond borders and breaking into the conflict zone without a second thought.

Dr. Aiman Al Salmi second from the left with mask on.

The brave heart plastic surgeon from Khoula Hospital in Sultanate of Oman, he is a glaring example of benevolence in the geo-political unrest in Gaza. His noble gesture has peacefully conquered hearts of not only his countrymen but also the war victims.

Speaking of his medical profession, Dr. Aiman recollected that he never envisioned himself in this noble profession. His ambition was not to be a doctor and he never deny the fact that it was one such profession which was least sought after by him. “I had no clear plans to be a doctor but to live in the moment. I wanted to go abroad for my further studies. Going back in time, I can remember that I did not want to choose medicine as it is a challenging profession.”

Call it an irony, this noble man, who once hold ennui perusing medicine is currently looking forward to visit conflict zones to treat war victims spreading the message of peace and healing. “Before I went to Gaza, I planned to resign and start my own business. I needed more free time to read books. The on-call days are hectic and I never get my ‘me-time’. I want to read books and travel around and even have my own business,” he smiles and continue, “But now I am thinking otherwise. I want to serve in conflict zone.”

An avid reader and booklover, Dr. Aiman has his own bookstore in Boushar and he believes reading has helped him remain calm and focused through all thick and thin in war zone. “I had never been to a conflict zone before and my feeling for the people witnessing and experiencing the brutality is beyond any words or expressions.”

Before landing Gaza, Dr. Aiman visualized war through the media and had no first person experience on how it will affect him. Comparing to what he saw in TV and what came to him in real, he firmly mentions, “I am a surgeon, therefore the impact was not very high. I was well prepared. I knew I have to serve the innocent civilians and war victims. Being a doctor I am a messenger of peace and healing and my job is to treat patients and no bombardment can stop me from serving the broken ones.”

Nature has healing powers and a booklover knows it best. It always blesses with its beauty and secures the power within us. The beach of Gaza is no different in its natural form to the beaches of Oman. “It’s heavenly;” He continues, “I love to be in lap of nature and therefore i headed to adore the natural beauty by Gaza beach. In no time few gunmen with their face covered surrounded me and took me to gunpoint. I handed them my mobile and asked them to delete whatever shots i took and leave me. I also told them about my mission to treat injured victims of the war and I pose no harm to anyone.”

Even with such symbol of courage, we humans are driven by emotion and doctors are no exception while face challenges around them. His eyes filled with tears and his heart broke at the sights and sounds of genocide in Gaza. He walked over hundreds of people lying homeless on his way to his duty. “It was a disturbing scene. The hospital from my dorm was just a few minutes’ walk but the homeless people and the helplessness around made my journey to the hospital eternal,” he exclaimed with a sigh.

Despite the emotions running high, a doctor must be strategic on deciding which patient to choose for immediate treatment amidst the hundred injured brought to him. “We need to be prompt and wise in choosing the right patient who requires urgent dressing or operation,” Dr. Aiman explains.

“The sight of injured and hungry children is upsetting. I amputated the hand of a two-year old child whose mother is likely to be dead. 40 year old Ahmed was brought to my OT from under the rubble with a smashed face. I am a witness to several such tragic stories. In one day I had to run five times to the OT.

4-year-old Alaa was a ray of hope with his smiling face asking for some treats outside the OT

Alaa a 4-year-old homeless boy always stood in the hospital corridor near the OT. His smiling face gave me hope and strength to continue doing what I am meant to do – serve the needy. I am thankful to my family who supported me in my mission with their love and kind words,” says Dr. Aiman with a blissful smile as he plans on his next mission to serve in a conflict zone.

Paving their path selflessly amidst the ruthless destruction to serve victims in dire need, these vigilant and wise noble men touches hearts of millions as they pledge to sooth the broken spirit affected by warfare. Amidst the lows of a nation’s hostile situation, their story will always remain worth a tell-tale.

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^{Copyright Reserved Swati Basu Das}