Who Deserves Care?

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Originally uploaded by interplast

On one of our first days, the team was told that a failed suicide bomber was in the hospital and needed treatment. His bomb had detonated prematurely, loosing most of the exploding power that was planned for foreigners; the result was damage to only the bomber’s limbs, but not death. Most Interplast team members are used to the ethic that they should treat anyone in desperate need of care, regardless of who they are or what they have done. However, it did bring up interesting discussions about who is deserving in a country of such overwhelming needs. After the man was examined by Interplast doctors, under the watchful eye of the police guarding him, it was determined that he did not need surgery at this time for his fracture and wounds. There was nothing for the Interplast team to do.