In the Middle East, a neighborhood where bloody conflicts run unabated for decades already, we must be fully aware of a perilous situation that seems to exist: politics sometimes substitute medical humanitarian-induced activism. This represents nothing less than a serious danger, and also a universally-embracing one. It is not to say that politics has no role in our journey toward ameliorating humanitarian crises, but that politics and bureaucracy should by no means interfere with our inherent concern for war/military conflicts/natural disasters casualties. Whether it is Darfurians suffering militia-led Janjaweed abuse or Chinese victims of a largely neglected earthquake, vulnerable groups of individuals falling between the cracks must ignite our very basic reflexes. THESE are the border zone populations that ought to become the focus of a broader and more sincere attempt to distribute genuine health care to all individuals of our society.

Ohad Oren
ohadoren@gmail.com

Well written article. truly inspiring. It is comforting to know that there are still truly caring and empathic people in the world.
I am a medical student in England soon to garduate in 2009. I regularly do charity work anywhere it is needed. I ma currently involved in building a hospital in teh Indian subcontinent. If you truly wish this dream to become a reality i would love to get involved to make this happen. I would take up Micheal Baum on his offer, people like that are hard to come by.

Shiraz Ali. Hull york medical school England.

I commend you on your compassion and caring and would like to encourage you in your hopes and dreams.

However I am more than somewhat disturbed in the almost total lack of mention of other suffering and of the lack of nuanced appreciation for the enablement leading to this situation.

At what point does society step in to make decisions, for example, for individuals of diminished ability instead of empowering them to make their own decisions? Do we once again incarcerate the mentally ill in state institutions or do we continue to allow them the freedom to live on the street and the consequences to their health and well-being?

As a physician, one practicing full-time palliative care, I see decisions daily which I respect but disagree with. Some of them actively harm the individual patient and all that I can do is stand by and be supportive. Yet this is empowerment and personal decision-making.

Decisions have consequences. What right have we to impose our solutions? Where is the boundary?

Just like all politicians. They are a ruthless bunch.(The ones that do it for monitary gain and could care less about human life.

I would suggest your proposed hospital when built be run entirely by an international apolitical group of medical corps such as the Physicians for Human Rights. And that they be given a free hand without fear or favour or allegiance to any side in the conflict.

Your dream is a possibility if enough people will take up the call and create a ground swell.

If Israel wholeheartedly follows Baron Larrey’s footsteps, separating its political aspirations from securing the basic rights of Palestinians in Gaza, maybe then the Gazans will repay Israel, just like Napoleon did to Larrey, when he erected two magnificent monuments for Larrey’s memory, one of them at a Parisian military Hospital.