In 1990, at a luncheon at the United Nations, I set by an outstanding African physician and medical educator who told me that if on that night every missionary doctor were to disappear, the healthcare delivery to the Third World would not be significantly affected. It was not a statement of ingratitude nor was it intended to be a little the missionary effort, but it was an indication that the time is come for a change of emphasis on the part of those concerned with wholeness and health. He went on to say that the challenge of the future(of African health, at least) was in public health, preventative medicine, better water, better sanitation, better immunology, and better nutrition. He felt that this is what is needed and what the Western world should turn its attention to. We both understood also that the emphasis should be put upon teaching and sharing of information at grassroots level so that the nations of Africa could probably help themselves rather than always being "treated" by outsiders.
Charter time was 1913 to 1965. What a great era, and how great was his response to the need of those whom he had mission to serve. Time, however, makes ancient good uncouth, and we now live in a new time when the emphasis has changed indeed the constant that we still need is Schweitzers kind of spirit and dedication, which if apply to today's contextual needs would allow us like Schweitzer to preserve the pride and self respect of those who long to help themselves and can now do it.it is also a time to re-examine the wisdom and experience of Schweitzer to see what lessons we can salvage for our own healthcare delivery system in the United States. It is a time for all of us to re-examine ourselves, our patients, and our approach to their needs as we seek to understand reverence for life and our present context.