From Africa To Austin: In Search of The Plumber of People

December 5, 2016

Recently, Dr. Shaw had the privilege of treating the Hon. Dr. Cornelius Mwalwanda, former Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development for the Republic of Malawi and former Director and Principal Advisor of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Dr. Mwalwanda traveled more than 9,000 miles to be treated at Austin Urology Institute. Dr. Mwalwanda took the time to share his experience in his own words.

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From Africa to Austin

In the early hours one Sunday morning, I woke up to relieve myself, but was surprised and shocked that I could not. Around 4 a.m., I rushed to Karonga District Hospital to seek medical attention. It was there that I was told that I had a prostate blockage.

Realizing that Karonga District Hospital did not have facilities to effectively deal with this problem, I requested my nephew drive me some 600 miles to Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, to seek medical assistance. The drive from Karonga to Lilongwe is something I will never forget; particularly the pain I endured on the rough roads of Malawi, with my bloated bladder and stomach. I am extremely grateful to the doctors and nurses at Partners in Hope in Lilongwe who acted expeditiously to relieve my bladder and prevent the total collapse of my kidneys and other key functions.

After a series of tests, the doctor in Lilongwe suggested I seek treatment in either India or the United States.

My eldest son, who is based in Austin, and his wife decided that I should come to Austin, Texas and seek the services of Dr. Koushik Shaw (The Plumber of People) of Austin Urology Institute.

One visible characteristics of Austin, which catches the eye of the visitor, apart from the beautiful vegetation and scenery, is the number of medical centers and institutes. I was blessed enough to be attended to by some of the most prominent medical centres and institutes, not only in Austin, but the whole United States and even the world.

The first consultation meeting held on August 15, 2016 between Dr. Shaw and I, convinced me that I really had come to the right “plumber.” The consultations were held in such a cordial atmosphere that I was immediately assured that I was going to get first class service.

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The professionalism shown by doctors, nurses and technicians alike in all the medical centers and institutes is beyond the call of duty and very reassuring to patients. I left Austin with a deep sense of appreciation to all those who contributed  in one way or the other to my treatment.

One important lesson I learned from my visit to Austin is the healing power of the patient-doctor relationship. The manner in which Dr. Shaw and his staff handle patients does, in my view, contribute to the quick recovery of their patients. The warmth and kindness demonstrated by the doctor and his staff is beyond the call of duty and is an inherent part of their personalities. God Bless them all.

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Thank you, merci, gratias, Zikomo Bwambili!

– Hon. Dr. Cornelius Thomson Mwalwanda