HBO Docuseries “Savior Complex” Explores American Missionary’s Controversial Medical Practices in Uganda

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A three-part HBO docuseries titled “Savior Complex,” premiered on September 26, revisits a controversial case involving an American missionary, Renée Bach, who was accused of practicing medicine without a license in Uganda, leading to the deaths of children at a malnutrition clinic. The case was settled in 2020. The series delves into the complexities of the case, adding updates, on-camera interviews, and nuance.

Renée Bach, a high school graduate with no formal medical training, founded the charitable organization Serving His Children as a 19-year-old missionary in 2009. The clinic initially did not employ any doctors, and Bach was reported to have administered medical treatments, prescribed medications, and even performed a blood transfusion. The series portrays her as a well-meaning individual with limited medical knowledge, who played a role akin to a missionary Elizabeth Holmes.

The documentary raises concerns about the collective, racially charged hubris of well-meaning white Americans, often evangelicals, in Africa. It highlights the issue of individuals like Bach assuming roles of authority in medical settings without proper qualifications, perpetuating a “savior complex.”

The series also scrutinizes Bach’s main opponent, a co-founder of a group called No White Saviors, who starts to appear self-serving in her actions. Both Bach and her opponent are portrayed as individuals motivated more by their self-image and messianic tendencies than by genuine altruism. The documentary underscores the importance of empowering local change makers and professionals in under-resourced communities instead of relying on self-proclaimed “white saviors.”

“Savior Complex” identifies Ugandan doctors, social workers, and activists as unsung heroes who genuinely work to serve their communities without the resources that American missionaries can easily raise. The series calls for a shift away from the white savior narrative and toward supporting local efforts and individuals in African societies.

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