TAMPA, Fla. – A Bay area doctor is helping those in need in war-torn Ukraine.

Dr. Paul Nanda is chief medical officer for Tampa General Hospital’s Urgent Care with offices across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

But his good deeds are not limited to the Bay area. Recently, he traveled 5,000 miles to aid war refugees.

“I went to Poland to work with Ukrainian refugees there that have been displaced because of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” Dr. Nanda said.

Dr. Nanda, who also taught global health traveled there with fellow members of International Medical Relief, a non-profit organization that provides health care to under-served and vulnerable people around the globe.

And while on this trip use of cameras with patients was not allowed, Dr. Nanda did share some of what he saw.

“We saw one gentleman, who was about 65, who had been working as a merchant marine in the shipyards his whole life and he suffered a fracture to his hip when his home was bombed,” Dr. Nanda said.

The voluntary travels overseas began in 2006 with a trip to provide emergency medical care to the people of Zimbabwe. He has since visited many other countries.

“There’s so many people displaced and needed acute medical care that it became important to me to do something,” he said.

On a trip to Kenya he delivered this beautiful baby. And in his honor the parents named the child “Nanda.”

Dr. Nanda now keeps in touch with the family and his namesake.

Conversely, these international missions are often very tough even for a professional. Especially when children are involved.

“I think absolutely and I think even more so,” he said. “Having three young daughters of my own because you put yourself in that situation what would you do as a parent to take care of your kids. Your heart breaks a little bit.”

Dr. Nanda says he will continue providing medical care here at home and to those around the world.

“For me, I believe health care is a human right. Not a privilege.”