Dear America--July 12, 2018
July 12, 2018
Dear America,
I am looking for one family in the United States who does not agree with President Trump regarding immigration, splitting up families at our Southern Border, or calling Haiti a “ —— country.” I am looking for that same family to accept a young Haitian as a guest in their home.
I currently have a Haitian Hearts patient who had successful heart surgery in the United States. She is staying with a family who can no longer keep her. Her visa is current and we have applied for a visa extension, but we have not received a response yet from the US Government.
Last week in Haiti, there were a large number of violent protests in the streets of Port-au-Prince. The “manifestations” were carried out by thousands and thousands of people who reject the actions of their hapless Haitian government. Fires were set, many businesses were looted and destroyed, and some vigilantes took the law into their own hands.
My patient’s mother in Port-au-Prince left me a panicky-sounding voice mail tonight. Here is what she said with my translation from Haitian Creole to English:
“I heard (daughter’s name) is going to be returned to Haiti. The country (Haiti) is not good. Please don’t send her back. Yesterday things were destroyed near where I live, there was shooting, and people died. Remember me, Dr. John. I hope God takes care of you. Do this for me. I am having a hard time paying my rent. Please, don’t leave my daughter and me on the streets. God bless you.”
Haiti is a very troubled place now and not friendly to fragile people recovering from major heart surgery. The US State Department rates Haiti a Level 4 DO NOT TRAVEL. This is the highest advisory level due to a higher likelihood of life-threatening risks. Haiti joins 11 other countries with this rating: Afghanistan, South Sudan, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Libya, Mali, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and the Central African Republic.
I think, as her physician, I would be remiss if all I thought about was her heart function and her blood tests. Social determinants of disease, like returning to Haiti now, cannot be ignored. If US citizens are warned about traveling to Haiti now, shouldn’t my Haitian patient be equally protected?
These are extraordinary times both in the United States and in Haiti. Extraordinary measures are needed to preserve human dignity.
Please contact me if you will accept this young Haitian in your home.
Sincerely,
John A. Carroll, MD
haitianhearts@gmail.com
www.haitianhearts.org