social
Elisabeth Neier, who was born in Bludenzer, moved to Cameroon 34 years ago. There, the doctor expanded a small hospital into a 170-bed hospital. Elisabeth Neier was recently home to visit her mother, who is now 93 years old.
In 1988 Elisabeth Neier happened to come to Cameroon, a country in central Africa five times the size of Austria. It is a land of diversity and contrasts. Born in Bludenzer, she lives and works in the extensive, poor north.
The sick come more than 200 kilometers on foot
Again and again she drives long distances through the bush to her patients. The sick often walk more than 200 kilometers to see the Vorarlberg doctor, who has only gone home once a year so far. But that could change now. Because her now 93-year-old mother needs her more often now. Elisabeth Neier senior was very ill in the spring, but is now on the mend. It was she who previously coordinated all of the logistics from Vorarlberg.
Now the responsibility is spread over several shoulders, as in Africa in the hospital. Not an easy task for the perfectionist Elisabeth Neier. But she can now focus more on her core tasks – taking care of the patients. The 69-year-old is not yet thinking about retiring. But: “If I feel that it’s getting too strict for me or if I feel that it’s giving me so much trouble that it no longer makes sense, then I’ll opt out.” At the moment, however, there is still a lot to do.
The surgical wing was built with donations
On average, 60 outpatient treatments are carried out in the main hospital in Gaubela per day, the hospital has 170 beds. With donations from Vorarlberg, an operating wing was built almost by hand. With know-how from the Ländle and materials from the area. Employees keep coming from Vorarlberg.
For example, as part of the voluntary social year. The missions abroad – including in Cameroon – are coordinated by the parish of Frastanz. Elisabeth Neier is happy about every helping hand from Vorarlberg.