“They always talk about God,” says Australian doctor of his homeless patients

Dr. Nour explained to James Cook University that a random encounter with a homeless man gripped by a seizure was the impetus for the organization. After providing emergency care for the man and calling an ambulance, he struck up a conversation with another homeless individual who explained the hardship that the homeless experience in regard to seeking medical help. 

He was informed that homeless communities feel abandoned by National Health Services (NHS), which is often skeptical of their calls. He was told that it is often assumed that their medical problems are ruses to attain prescription drugs, while other times their calls are not taken seriously or are even ignored. 

Dr. Nour expressed his surprise that a portion of the community felt like they were not viewed as worthy of medical care: 

So it was that the Egyptian-Australian Coptic Christian took up the charge and started Side Street Medics. According to the website, their mission is to bring “an exceptional standard of healthcare” to homeless communities in Australia. In order to do this, they organize their hundreds of volunteers to run medical clinics and even a mobile unit that brings urgent care to the streets. 

The services they provide include health examinations, diagnosis and treatment, developing healthcare plans, immunizations, pathology, nutritional advice, minor procedures, and referrals. In the brief years since Side Street Medics was launched, they have also expanded their services by creating partnerships with medical specialists. 

Side Street Medics has been so successful in their mission that Dr. Nour was awarded the NSW Young Australian of the Year award. This recognition has drawn even more volunteers into the fold, allowing them to expand their services. Soon, they will even have a secondary mobile unit to spread their reach across the nation. 

According to Egypt Today, Dr. Nour said at the award ceremony:

While Dr. Nour, a Coptic Christian, said he was not the best Christian when it comes to faith-practice (prayer, regular church attendance, etc.), he excels at walking the walk. He considers his faith to be his guide, a trait he says is shared by many in the homeless community. 

In an interview with Christian Weekly, he explained: 

Dr. Nour recalled one instance in which he was driving a woman with an infected wound to the hospital. He said that she talked about how she lost her family’s savings in a gamble and had been on the streets for seven years. The woman was grappling with guilt over leaving her family and Nour leaned on her Catholic faith when he implored her to forgive herself.

Learn more about the worthy mission of Side Street Medics, here.