Haiti: U.S. doctors working in Cuban hospitals
By LETICIA MARTÍNEZ HERNÁNDEZ    PHOTO: JUVENAL BALÁN, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti.— 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 stated. They will begin treating Haitian patients today.

US DOCTORS, GRADUAteS from ELAM arrive at the CUBAN field HOSPITAL to help HAITÍ.

Elsie Walter talking on behalf of all of them, explained 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 treated 3,590 patients. They will be sharing all aspects of field hospital life with its doctors. Orthopedist William Alvarez, director of the center, explained 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 into the group of Cubans, he said. "Without any doubt, they are a great help, but 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 said that they came to share everything, just as they had learned in ELAM. For that reason, they do not see any problem in sleeping in tents and working 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 said that she and her colleagues are in the process of sitting examinations to validate their degrees and commented 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 treatment will remain the same.