Local doctors help out overseas

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Two doctors are touring West Michigan to talk about their experiences in helping war torn countries.

Doctor Marc Levin is a physician in the field, a one man band of medical knowledge. He shared his experiences with people at First Wesleyan Church in Battle Creek, hoping to inspire others to help.

“This is a huge problem, and we're working in over 30 countries on issues of malnutrition, this is huge, this is annual and it goes from generation to generation,” said Dr. Levin.

Dr. Colquhoun is an ophthalmologist from Battle Creek, he's been on about a dozen missions to help improve the eyesight of those in need. He says the trips are overwhelming.

“There's little villages with huts like they would have 500 years ago,” said Dr. Colquhoun, “no electricity, no plumbing, so as you can imagine, when there's help, people are happy.”

On each two-week mission, Dr. Colquhoun has been able to help a few hundred people, but says more is needed.

“I found in a country of Zambia, about twelve million population, there were only about eleven ophthalmologists,” said Dr. Colquhoun.

The doctors say statistics like that is why getting the word out is so important.

“Our main mission is always to provide health care, but our second mission is to bear witness and speak out so we really try to inform the public,” said Dr. Levin.

Near the end of October, a group of about ten from Battle Creek are heading to Zambia for another mission.