Please allow me to clarify one point in your fine tribute to the late Dr Maura O’Donohue of the Medical Missionaries of Mary (30 May) lest your readers might think the patients at Gambo hospital in Ethiopia were abandoned, following more than a year of weekly interrogations of the medical director by student revolutionaries. This was after the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selassie.I was present when, as a community, we decided that for the safety of our patients and staff it was best for us to withdraw temporarily and seek help. Dr O’Donohue transferred patients who were very ill to other hospitals and discharged the remainder, although the students countermanded some of her instructions.We left the hospital at 3am to avoid their armed watch. On reaching the main road, we stoppe