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Outlook: The doctor treating children 8000 miles away

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Meena Said, an Afghan American surgeon in her white coat

09/06/2021 GMT

The doctor treating children 8000 miles away

BBC World Service - Outlook, The doctor treating children 8000 miles away

Afghan refugee Meena Said is saving the lives of children in her homeland

By day Dr Meena Said is a surgeon working in California.  By night she arranges care remotely for critically-ill children in Afghanistan.

Meena Said is an endocrine surgeon working in California. Her days are spent treating and operating on patients, many of whom have very complex medical needs. But after a hard day at work, rather than relaxing at home, Meena switches on her phone and begins to care for her other patients: critically-ill children who live many thousands of miles away in Afghanistan. Meena's own family fled the country as refugees when she was just a baby. She spent many years trying to build her career in LA, but was uncomfortable with how privileged her life was in comparison to those that stayed behind. Two years ago, a photo of a family with severe burns motivated her to help. She set up a network of volunteer doctors called Wellness Worldwide whose expertise she draws on to confirm diagnoses and formulate treatment plans. Sadly, it can sometimes be too late to save the children, but as Meena tells Emily Webb knowing their children are being helped often brings much needed peace to the families involved.  

The renowed Sri Lankan artist Laki Senanayake has died at the age of 84. In 2016, he gave Outlook's Nicki Paxman a tour of his much-loved forested water garden where real animals, including snakes and crocodiles, lived alongside animal sculptures.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Picture: Dr Meena Said 	
Credit: Courtesy of Dr Meena Said

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