Posted in Earthquake/CHOLERA

NH doctors, nurses cancel latest trip to Haiti-Added COMMENTARY By Haitian-Truth

   June 7, 2010
Associated Press – June 7, 2010 10:45 AM ET

LEBANON, N.H. (AP) – A team of doctors and nurses from New Hampshire’s Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center has canceled its trip to Haiti after hearing that conditions weren’t safe.

The crew was seventh team from the hospital being sent to help victims of January’s earthquake. But officials say another team that just returned reported feeling unsafe since the American military presence has diminished.

Dr. John Butterly told WCAX-TV that the hospital is reevaluating its role in Haiti but is committed to working with Partners in Health – a nonprofit co-founded by Dartmouth College President Jim Yong – for the long term.

Information from: WCAX-TV, http://www.wcax.com


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COMMENT: HAITIAN-TRUTH.ORG

While the Haitian people appreciate any and all efforts put forth on their behalf, and that of their children, the suggestion that any  medical team is any danger –  while in Haiti, is very insulting.

It also shows that those involved seem to have missed the real Haiti that was all around them, during their stay.

I doubt if any of these volunteers saw much of the American Army during their volunteer visit.

I saw a few   soldiers, with their Humvees, in Petionville eating ice cream. Another time, I saw a couple of vehicles downtown.

On an earlier occasion, right after the quake, a team of doctors, from Belgium, abandoned their patients in the Haitian countryside, when UN soldiers left. The CNN crew with them remained with the peasant patients. The CNN team included Doctor Gupta, who completed a half-finished operation.

On too many occasions, I have seen that Americans are really wimps.

Like fighter pilots, the  ones with balls come from Canada and would never cop out on the game.

The indifference from some in the USA is becoming apparent
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4 thoughts on “NH doctors, nurses cancel latest trip to Haiti-Added COMMENTARY By Haitian-Truth”

  1. Your frustration is understandable. Your blog is a lifeline of truth which I read faithfully.

    In this story, consider some of the issues that may have been part of the decision-making process. The President of Dartmouth, Jim Yong knows Haiti well. Now that US Forces have withdrawn, any American in Haiti must rely on MINUSTAH and the Haitian Police for physical safety and the US Embassy to assist with evacuation if necessary. Based on stories that have appeared on this blog, I’m not certain that I would feel safe in Haiti now, even if I were capable of providing lifesaving medical care.

    I hope that Dartmouth’s decision will be well-publicised, not to deter others from going, but to trumpet the direct result of the actions or lack thereof taken by the inept major players. Overshadowed by other major crises, little news coverage has been given to the desperate current conditions in Haiti.

    I hope as well that many of the individuals in the US, Canada and across the world who made personal donations expecting them to be transformed into emergency life sustaining aid will be inspired to ask what happened to all that money, and why so much of it remains unspent.

    My heart aches for Haiti.

  2. Merighen

    If you have read the material, on this site, you will know that there has never been a single incident in which a foreign medical worker has been threatened, let alone physically bothered.

    If you think the US forces were here to protect you, there is some misunderstanding.

    MINUSTAH does absolutely nothing to instill confidence in me.

    However, the very nature of the Haitian people is such that you – as a foreign medical worker – will never, never have any problems.

  3. Michael

    We agree far more than we disagree. The Haitian people are not to be feared. The “elected” officials, their gang leaders, and those driven by greed are another story.

    Were the team members from the last team sent wimps, or did something happen that is not reflected in their statement? Citing the reduced US military presence may be the same kind of “diplo-speak” that we hear from far too many entities.

    If it were not for your efforts, and the great sources who trust you, many of us who care about the immediate dangers facing displaced Haitians and the long-term future of Haiti would be clueless.

    I watched the recent Senate Foreign-Relations Committee hearings, and have added USAID to my list of questionable operators, which already includes MINUSTAH, the various UN Envoys, and all their collaborators within the Haitian Elite. That list is not exhaustive, by the way.

    Had I any skills that would be helpful in Haiti, I would not fear going to help. I pray that those who do have such skills continue to go to Haiti. I pray that it remains safe for them to do so. And I will add to my prayers a thank you for your work.

    God bless,
    Merighen

  4. Merighen

    Your comment looks like I wrote it myself.

    I am very much in support of the military presence in Haiti – provided that it is something like 300 US Marines, without helmets, flack jackets and all the other accessories that – in themselves – create a philosophy of danger.

    (Just like the embassy requirement that all residences be surrounded by 8 foot walls, topped with razor wire. All holes that give “line of sight” plugged. 360 degree illumination of grounds at night, all windows barred…all outside entrances covered by heavy steel door units…. The master bedroom equipped with a heavy steel door and an escape hatch…leading to???)

    Sounds like NY City

    The Haitians would love this – since the US Marines are a part of our history here.

    I suppose someone might have troubles but I have heard of no actual problems involving American medical teams, and I am closely involved with many of these as a bridge between American and Haitian cultures.

    I would appreciate it if people could make specific comments, about specific problems….rather than to simply tar the Nation as an unsafe place.

    If you remain clear of politics here, you will have no problems. That is the area where most crime and violence exists.

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