Daily portraits
Array
Cœur de Gazelles
General medicine
The Cœur de Gazelles team is composed of several specialties. These include general practitioners, divided into doctors for men, and doctors for women. There are 5 of them: Omar, Abdel, Mehdi, Zineb and Zeina.
Together, they deal with general diagnoses, but they also form a link with the other specialties. Patients sometimes require further care or examinations, or may consult a general practitioner without knowing the source of their health problems: the various specialties such as gynaecology, pharmacy and patient follow-up sometimes take over after the initial medical consultation.
The role of the team of general practitioners is twofold: in addition to establishing a reliable diagnosis quickly, they educate and raise awareness among patients on healthy habits that will prevent their issues from worsening in the years to come.
Prevention is particularly important among young people: the earlier the patients adopt good habits, the healthier they will be.
Doctors for women
First name: Omar
Occupation: Internal doctor specializing in radiology
Number of years with CDG: 2
Why did you choose Cœur de Gazelles? “I learned about the association through Abdel and Zineb (GPs with the caravan), who put me in contact with Fred (head of the medical caravan). I like the fact that Cœur de Gazelles works in remote regions because most associations focus on northern Morocco, as the south is less accessible. There is a large difference in education level between cities in the North and those in the South; that’s why we provide prevention as well as care.”
First name: Mehdi
Occupation: Doctor at the Azrou hospital
Number of years with CDG: 1
Why did you choose Cœur de Gazelles? “I have known Aziz (paediatric surgeon) for 4 years because we work together. When he called me to suggest that I join the Cœur de Gazelles team, I accepted because I felt it would be a great experience. I am involved with other associations and it is a way for me to continue to make a difference.”
First name: Abdelaziz
Occupation: Orthopedic trauma surgeon
Number of years with CDG: 3
Why did you choose Cœur de Gazelles? “Aziz, a paediatric surgeon with the caravan, first called me to replace a doctor who had cancelled at the last minute. I immediately requested permission to leave my post, which was granted. 24 hours later, I was on a plane on my way to join the team. The environment and the atmosphere are my source of motivation.”
Doctors for women
First name: Zineb
Occupation: Cardiology intern at the Rabat hospital centre
Number of years with CDG: 3
Why did you choose Cœur de Gazelles? “Cœur de Gazelles contacted me after two cancellations in 2017. The head of my department gave me permission to leave. I already knew about the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles but not Cœur de Gazelles. It was my first adventure trip, and I appreciate being able to help my country. We work a lot every day, but the ambiance is fantastic. It’s a new way to approach patients; we have to act differently and ask simple questions because there is a real lack of information in these regions.”
First name: Zeina
Occupation: General practitioner at the Rabat hospital
Number of years with CDG: 1
Why did you choose Cœur de Gazelles? “I wanted to do some volunteer work after obtaining my doctorate. Interested in joining the association, I contacted Fred, but the team was already complete. Fortunately for me, a place became available three weeks before the start. I jumped at the opportunity!”
