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In memory to my friend Bruno, by Fan Chung
We mourn Bruno as one of the many health workers who have given their lives combating this vicious virus, in Bruno’s case like the earlier colleagues around the world who did so without awareness of the virus or without knowledge of its invisible transmissibility. Hence, the sad loss of a selfless dedicated practitioner of medicine to the community, to the nation and to the world. And an incalculable loss to his family, colleagues and friends. Our most sincere condolences to the family, and in particular to Sandra, and Julia and Olivier.
My long-lasting friendship started in the late 80’s, (that seems so long ago!) towards the end of his last years in Cardiff where he studied and trained in medicine, particularly in respiratory medicine. I had just been appointed to the staff of the Royal Brompton Hospital and National Heart and Lung Institute in London on my return from medical research work in San Francisco. Bruno sought my advice about how he should prepare himself as a physician thinking of establishing his practice in Mauritius, at the same time whether he would benefit from gaining some clinical research experience. Bruno has already committed himself to returning home.
Over the years, our friendship expanded over visits either in Mauritius or in London, or over meetings of the Mauritius Respiratory Society or the “Societe de Pneumologie de L’Ocean Indien”, that provided opportunities to discussing many areas of mutual interest, naturally medicine, particularly Respiratory Medicine, often in company of other members of the Mauritian medical fraternity. We also exchanged views about how medicine could be improved and about the state of asthma in Mauritius, areas that he really had at heart, particularly as Head and Consultant of Internal Medicine in the Hospital in Flacq. As doctors, we also never failed to exchange notes on difficult ‘cases’ that we had come across while also talking about life in general including golf and French wine.
The homage that the health care workers and the whole nation gave him last Tuesday was very moving (viewed from London) and attests to his dedication and selflessness to Medicine, supported by the numerous personal tributes that I have come across from patients, colleagues and friends.
When I heard that he was confined, I Whatsapped him on the 23rd of March and as usual he quickly replied that he was OK in Souillac Hospital. I re-enquired on the 29th March and within 15 minutes he texted: “Tired and no appetite. Was transferred to Victoria Hotel last night. Keeping Souillac for more serious cases.” This will be my tribute to him as this message encompasses the person: selflessness and dedication to Medicine. Unfortunately, this optimistic message was sent just before he deteriorated.
Finally, I’d like to remember Bruno in the words of the poet, Li Bai.
A Farewell to a Friend With a blue line of mountains north of the wall,
And east of the city a white curve of water,
Here you must leave me and drift away Like a loosened water-plant hundreds of miles….
I shall think of you in a floating cloud;
So in the sunset think of me. …
We wave our hands to say good-bye,
And my horse is neighing again and again
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