The surgical team trip to Dhaka, Bangladesh that was supposed to begin this weekend has been canceled due to political instability. Such a decision is never taken lightly.
The following is a letter that Amy Laden, director of international services, wrote to team members informing them of the decision:
Dear Dhaka Team Members,
We are extremely disappointed and saddened to tell you that
Interplast needs to cancel your trip to Dhaka. On the assumption
that many of you have been following the political situation there, this
decision will come as no surprise.
We know that you also are extremely disappointed and we appreciate your steadfastness during the past week. We know how difficult it will be for some of you to rearrange your schedules. We also share with you your disappointment in knowing that there are many young patients in need who will now have to wait longer to receive the benefits of your medical skills. We are also sad for this impoverished country which can hardly afford the economic impact of the blockades and the political impact of the strife. I am enclosing our coordinator/translator's email to me (see below).
Hello Amy:
The situation has not improved. There are calls for more strikes and shutdown of businesses/transportation and so on. Neither party seems to be 'blinking'.
It truly saddens me to see the country torn apart like this. All the patients who could have benefited from this trip will not get the chance.
Thank you all. Please call us with any questions or concerns.
Amy Laden
Director, International Services
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