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| In Croix des Bouquets where the American doctors start work today, 3,590 patients have received medical attention. (Juvenal Balan) |
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Seven young doctors have
just arrived at the Croix des Bouquets field
hospital. They have come from the United States and
wish "to help their Cuban brothers and sisters in
attending to the suffering Haitian people. We are in
the process of having our Medical degrees validated,
but felt the need to be here, we’re leaving aside
our studies so as to say ‘Present’," they affirm.
For that reason they will begin attending to Haitian
patients today.
Elsie Walter talks on behalf of all of them,
explaining that they are graduates from the Latin
American School of Medicine in Cuba (ELAM). Five of
them are from New York and two from California. They
responded to a call from the Reverend Lucius Walker,
and didn’t hesitate. "There were lots of us who
wanted to come, but given our responsibilities there,
only seven of us could come for now; others are
thinking of joining later on, because we know that
the Cuban medical brigade is going to be here for a
good long time."
For one month, this first group will be working
in the Cuban hospital that, up until yesterday, had
attended to 3,590 patients. They will be sharing
with its doctors all aspects of field hospital life.
Orthopedist William Alvarez, director of the center,
explains that the idea is to incorporate them into
hospital activities, both on the ground and in
consultations, although of course, this will be done
in a staggered way. The main concern of these
doctors, all women, is their lack of knowledge of
Creole, but in that context, Haitian students
training as doctors in Cuba and currently in Haiti,
will support them.
The doctor highlighted that the young ELAM
graduates came with their packs of water and food
but, as soon as they arrived, they handed them over
to the hospital’s reserves. They also brought
backpacks loaded with medicines, which they likewise
immediately donated. They have incorporated
themselves very well in the group of Cubans, he says.
"Without any doubt, they are a great help, and also
a challenge, because we are responsible for their
preparation and they are in a scenario that they
haven’t experienced before. For example, they have
never had to confront illnesses like Chagas or
Leishmaniasis."
Elsie comments that they came to share everything,
as they learned in ELAM. For that reason, they do
not see any problem in sleeping in tents and working
at any hour of the day or night. "The experience has
been fantastic, you have treated us very well, with
that great hospitality, we feel privileged to be
here; thank you Cuba for opening your doors to us as
always."
Elsie says that she and her colleagues are in the
process of sitting examinations to validate their
degrees and comments that although the assessment in
her country is different, they are sufficiently
prepared to pass them. This is the attitude of these
young women trained in Cuba who have joined our
doctors to continue saving lives in Haiti. When
consultations begin in the Croix des Bouquets field
hospital, the patients will find new faces; however,
the attention will remain the same.
Granma
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