Book Review: Band Aid for a Broken Leg by Damien Brown

Band-Aid for a Broken Leg is a true story by Damien Brown about his time as a volunteer doctor for Medecine Sans Frontieres in Angola, Mozambique, and South Sudan.

It is a powerful, heartbreaking funny, honest and uplifting account of Damien’s life on the medical frontline. He tells us stories of working in difficult conditions both within the hospital and outside especially when surrounded by landmines in Angola.

And to add to the difficulties there is the problem of the language barrier with Damien not speaking much Portuguese and the local doctors and patients not speaking English. This leads to a lot of frustrations on for everybody.

But despite these issues, Damien’s passion for the work grows and he does develop friendships with the local doctors and the volunteers he works and lives alongside.

It is a moving testimony of the work down by medical humanitarian groups and the extraordinary and sometimes eccentric people who work for them.