The Line of Shisong

The three little patients were in intensive care. There was total silence. I could hardly believe I was in Central Africa, in the heart of the Dark Continent. I could have been in San Donato Milanese, in a Swiss clinic or at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. And I was really moved in seeing how tenderly the ten doctors and nurses were tending to the three children. I pointed this out to Sr Ruth, the night nurse who had visited me and Liliana several times during her training in San Donato a decade ago. She answered me with a smile. “It happens every time”. And then she whispered – very quietly so that the doctors cannot hear her “Have you noticed, Paolo? Every doctor has his favourite children. It’s something spontaneous; I can’t really explain it. Some children always receive an extra hug”.