US Unlikely to Accept Cuba's Aid Offer

[beetbox]

U.S. Unlikely to Accept Cuba's Aid Offer


Wednesday September 7, 2005 3:46 AM

By GEORGE GEDDA

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Doctors offered by Cuba to help attend Katrina's victims probably won't be needed because the supply of U.S. physicians is adequate, the State Department suggested Tuesday.

Officially, the U.S. is undecided about the offer by Cuban President Fidel Castro, with whom the United States lacks full diplomatic relations. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack held open the possibility that the offer could be acted on if the need grew.

About 12,000 U.S. medical professionals have volunteered for duty in the affected areas. An appeal for help from the Department of Health and Human Services ``has seen a robust response from the American medical community,'' McCormack said.

``In the event there are needs, we will look for every available source,'' he said. ``We haven't ruled anyone out. This is going to be a long, long process.''

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5260904,00.html

[WindRavenX]

1. This solidifies my belief that they are truly letting the poor of NO die

This is criminal, beyond all comprehension.

[valerief]

2. Yeah, the govt will give the doctors tainted meds

To kill the victims off entirely

[IndianaGreen]

3. Cuban doctors are experts on tropical diseases

which is quite the sort of thing we need to treat those exposed to contaminants and disease in Louisiana.

What do we have, BOTOX specialists?

This is nothing put rightwing ideologues preferring the deaths of thousands to accepting Cuba's help.

This is the sort of regime that runs America!

[Mika]

4. Cuban drs are expert in treating one disease rampant in the US.. GREED.

Cuban health care providers treat their patients with humility, caring, compassion, time, home visits, and with a wonderful bedside manner. They are true leaders and much respected & loved in their communities.

Been there. Seen it.

[struggle4progress]

12. Doctors Urge U.S. to Accept Cuba's Offer of 1586 Disaster-Trained Doctors

ATLANTA, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- A prominent U.S. medical group voiced "deep concern" over delays in health care and epidemic prevention reaching Katrina victims, and urged U.S. authorities to accept Cuba's offer of 1586 disaster-trained physicians to prevent a "second wave of sickness and death."

Latest reports indicate the U.S. State Department is backing away from the offer, implying they are not needed.

"Up to this point, there been a clear need for more medical help for Katrina victims," said Peter Bourne, MD, Chairman of MEDICC and former special adviser on health in the Carter White House and former Assistant Secretary General at the United Nations. "The Cuban physicians are accustomed to working in difficult third-world conditions without the resources and supplies most of us are accustomed to. Since they are just an hour away, it is a shame that they have not been allowed to join our committed medical corps already."

He is joined by other physicians, medical educators, international health experts and a former U.S. surgeon general associated with MEDICC, Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba. From 1998 through 2004, MEDICC has provided medical electives in Cuba for nearly 1000 students and faculty from 118 U.S. medical, public health and nursing schools. <snip>

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050907/nyw230.html?.v=1

[Judi Lynn]

5. U.S. unlikely to accept Cuba's aid offer

Tuesday, September 6, 2005 · Last updated 7:45 p.m. PT

U.S. unlikely to accept Cuba's aid offer

By GEORGE GEDDA
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

WASHINGTON -- Doctors offered by Cuba to help attend Katrina's victims probably won't be needed because the supply of U.S. physicians is adequate, the State Department suggested Tuesday.
(snip)

The U.S.-Cuba Sister Cities Association, a pro-Cuba group based in Pittsburgh, said the United States has rejected the offer from Castro. But Cuban Foreign Ministry spokesman Jose Luis Ponce said Tuesday night that Cuba has yet to receive a response.
(snip)

U.S. assistance programs for Cuba over the decades have been nonexistent except for those directed at Castro's enemies there. U.S. offers of humanitarian relief for droughts or other disasters in Cuba have been routinely rejected by Castro.

The Cuban leader went out of his way Sunday to show that his offer was serious. He summoned candidates for the proposed U.S. mission to a conference center in Havana and told them about the important work they could do if the U.S. government accepts the offer.
(snip/...)

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apwashington_story.asp?category=1152&slug=Katrina%20US%20Cuba



Santiago de Cuba

[NeoConsSuck]

6. The supply of US physicians should be adequate..

since so many Americans don't have health insurance and can't afford to see doctors.

[SOS]

7. So Cuban votes in Miami

are more important to Bush than getting doctors to the sick and injured.
Nice.

[robcon]

8. I agree we should accept the Cuban doctors.

How many do you think will defect? My guess is about a third.

I think it was a PR move for Castro, who knew/hoped the offer wouldn't be taken.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

11. Maybe Castro thinks

things are so screwed up here that none would want to defect.

[Mika]

14. I see that you're back to mindreading, oh sage one.

:eyes:

[Judi Lynn]

9. They've been doing work all over the world, and are greatly celebrated.

You have to research the subject to learn just how effective they are in so many places, and how much respect and esteem they have generated for their country.

Cuba's reputation is unique throughout the world. Everywhere but the country which has been conducting a 45 year old program of intimidation, economic warfare, a constant stream of acts of terrorism, and a constant program of disinformation from our right-wing administrations, despite the fact most Americans would prefer an end to this hostility.

[Mika]

15. Haven't they all defected by now? lol

I mean, if the Cuban Drs have been to so many places, one would think that there would be none left in Cuba IF 1/3 defected on every mission.

:rofl:

[Say_What]

10. MiamiGusano votes trump human lives

So what else is new?

<clips>

Doctors Urge U.S. to Accept Cuba's Offer of 1586 Disaster-Trained Doctors to Stop Katrina Epidemics

ATLANTA, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- A prominent U.S. medical group voiced
"deep concern" over delays in health care and epidemic prevention reaching
Katrina victims, and urged U.S. authorities to accept Cuba's offer of 1586
disaster-trained physicians to prevent a "second wave of sickness and death."
Latest reports indicate the U.S. State Department is backing away from the
offer, implying they are not needed.

"Up to this point, there been a clear need for more medical help for
Katrina victims," said Peter Bourne, MD, Chairman of MEDICC and former special
adviser on health in the Carter White House and former Assistant Secretary
General at the United Nations. "The Cuban physicians are accustomed to working
in difficult third-world conditions without the resources and supplies most of
us are accustomed to. Since they are just an hour away, it is a shame that
they have not been allowed to join our committed medical corps already."

He is joined by other physicians, medical educators, international health
experts and a former U.S. surgeon general associated with MEDICC, Medical
Education Cooperation with Cuba. From 1998 through 2004, MEDICC has provided
medical electives in Cuba for nearly 1000 students and faculty from 118 U.S.
medical, public health and nursing schools.

"Cuba has been recognized by the UN, Oxfam and other international
organizations as a leader in disaster response, expertise that could be saving
lives now," said Doctor William Keck, former long-time director of the Akron,
Ohio Department of Public Health.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-07-2005/0004102379&EDATE=

[leesa]

13. Pettiness...at a time like this! Thank Goodness the adults are in charge!