MANO MUMIN
“Now I understand why a lot patients scaring to trust the doctors, to go to the hospital, to deliver a baby. They ask me: Can you come with me?”
A longtime leader in the Boston Somali community, Mano Mumin came to the country as a refugee. Today, a trained medical assistant and a mother of seven, she works as a Halal butcher in Nubian Square.
Mano was interviewed by her daughter, Sumaya Ibrahim, Everyday Boston’s Story Editor, and photographed by Jaypix Belmer.
Mano’s first pregnancy in the U.S.
(4 minutes)
Mano recalls the fear and confusion of going to the hospital, as doctors insisted- without explanation- that she needed a C-section.
Mano’s Advice for Patients of Color:
If your doctor isn’t listening to you, ask for another one
Always speak up when something is wrong
If doctors and nurses are not explaining things to you, bring a friend who is comfortable asking them questions
Mano’s Tips for Health Care Providers:
Be a human first, and a doctor second
Explain everything to the patient- and do it calmly
Bring a social worker to help with difficult conversations
Don’t assume your patient is ignorant just because they’re not fluent in English
Full transcript of Mano’s interview
