News: Iraqi Interpreters' Medical Care
The Denver Post reports on the medical care received by Iraqi interpreters working for the US military.
The article accutely describes the serious risk of bodily harm interpreters face in the field and the obligation the US has to provide for these Iraqis' medical care.
The military, currently relying on about 5,490 local-hire interpreters, couldn't
account for what happens to those wounded. Iraqi linguists "are contracted
employees . . . eligible for emergency care when the injury will
result in loss of life, limb or eyesight," said Navy Lt. David Russell,
spokesman for the multinational forces in Iraq. Further care depends on
contractors, he said.
The article accutely describes the serious risk of bodily harm interpreters face in the field and the obligation the US has to provide for these Iraqis' medical care.
Labels: Iraqi Interpreters
posted by Angad at
8:29 AM
1 Comments:
While working closely with interpreters in Iraq, I was ashamed to say that my military unit WOULD NOT authorize basic and preventative medical care to them. AND WE WERE A HOSPITAL! Yes, I am not joking. Per hospital, and I am guessing, military regulation, local interpreters were to receive medical care ONLY if they were at risk of losing life, limb or eyesight.
Fortunately, I know that there were medical personnel that saw the moral conflict of this regulation and rendered medical care, no matter how basic, to their essential work partners despite risk of punishment.
The reality is that the individual has to make a genuine and cognitive decision to help the interpreters despite what they are being told to do. Once that decision is made, it all makes sense and aid is not far away. It will continue to be the rare, compassionate, and caring that reach out beyond military regulation and American expectations, and build the bridge to change this problem.
Post a Comment
<< Home