This blog post explores why Albert Schweitzer chose to leave his stable life in Europe and dedicate himself to medical service in Africa.
Albert Schweitzer laid the foundation for medical service. He extended the first helping hand to Africans suffering and dying from all manner of diseases without proper hospitals, doctors, or medicine. Until the early 1900s, the medical situation in Africa was extremely poor. Albert Schweitzer was deeply moved after reading a missionary’s account. Realizing the suffering of Africans through the words, “There are no doctors here. If you are a doctor, please come!”, he resolved to become a doctor and dedicate his life to service.
Thus, he abandoned a comfortable life in Europe and chose the path of service in Africa. At 27, Albert Schweitzer had become a professor of theology at the University of Strasbourg, ensuring a stable life in Europe. However, driven solely by his conviction for medical service, he began the difficult and lengthy study of medicine. After seven years, he passed the medical exam and became a doctor. Upon becoming a doctor, Albert Schweitzer immediately departed for Africa, established the Lambaréné Hospital, and began providing free medical care. In this way, Albert Schweitzer became an exemplar to many by establishing the concept of overseas medical service for the first time.
Furthermore, Dr. Albert Schweitzer’s approach to medical service also serves as a model for others. He encouraged Africans to manage the hospital themselves. The money, bananas, chickens, eggs, and other items received from them were used to operate the hospital. I think his efforts were admirable, not just providing free treatment to temporarily improve conditions, but enabling Africans to achieve long-term self-reliance. Merely treating illnesses in the short term would have made Africans dependent on Albert Schweitzer. However, he encouraged them to take ownership of the hospitals. Consequently, Africans developed a sense of responsibility to improve their own circumstances rather than blindly relying on him.
Albert Schweitzer’s achievements are significant not only for establishing the concept of medical service but also for expanding that concept. After he established the first hospital in Africa, many followed in his footsteps. For example, Larry Mellon, a successful American businessman, was inspired after reading an article about Albert Schweitzer and established the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti on the small Caribbean island nation of Haiti to help improve people’s health. Larry Mellon began seeking Schweitzer’s advice after reading an article about him in Life magazine on October 6, 1947, and spent several years studying to become a doctor. He subsequently founded the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Haiti’s Artibonite Valley, employing doctors at his own expense to provide free care to patients and establishing educational facilities. Thus, Albert Schweitzer’s noble spirit of humanitarianism spread to Haiti through Larry Mellen. To this day, his grandchildren continue to operate the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Haiti, perpetuating this spirit of service.
Albert Schweitzer also broadened the path of medical service through his writing. His books not only provided information to many Europeans unaware of the situation in Africa but also conveyed the profound impact and insights gained from a life dedicated to medical service. For example, his 1918 publication Zwischen Wasser und Urwald vividly conveyed Africa’s dire conditions to Europeans, inspiring many to donate and support Albert Schweitzer’s medical service. When he first went to Africa, only his wife supported him, but when he returned to Africa in 1925, several doctors and nurses joined him in medical service. Furthermore, in his book Aus meinem Leben und Denken, he wrote, “I believe we must all share the burden of suffering in this world,” directly expressing his hope that many would join in medical service.
Albert Schweitzer, who pioneered and expanded the path of medical service in this way, was a medical professional who made a great contribution to society. His life remains a great example for today’s medical practitioners, and it is hoped that his noble spirit of humanity will be widely known.
