20 November 2001
We have arrived at a decision concerning our February 2002 trip...
Members and board of directors met last night, determined to arrive at an answer to the
many questions about the trip in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks and low
enrollment of team-members.
We have decided to cancel the trip.
The terrorist attacks are a major factor, but it would be too convenient to blame
everything on bin Laden. There has been a recent development in Bolivia that took us by
surprise.
A few days ago, we received word that our host in Cochabamba, COMBASE, plans to
replace its director as of 1 January 2002, or about a month before we arrive. This is a
cause for concern, as we had developed a close relationship with the current director, Dr.
Jaime San Martín. The change and uncertainty alone would not cause us to cancel, except
for the structure of our team at present.
We are top-heavy with surgeons, and lacking in primary care providers. Instead of the six
or more primary care providers that we had anticipated, we have only one, and fewer
nurses than we would like. We still have three surgeons, probably four, and enough
anesthesia providers. Translators and general helpers are no problem.
The problem is this: Surgery requires a hospital, a sterile environment, and much
in-country support for logistics and supplies such as oxygen. Primary care can be done
(usually is done) just about anywhere - in a clinic, church building, schoolhouse, or any old
shack. Pigs and chickens are welcome.
We discussed many factors: safety in traveling, our nation at war, cutback of flights,
responsibility of a large (but shrinking) group, clearing customs with medical supplies, but
the discussion was central to this question:
Can we justify sending a team - primarily surgical - with the possibility of no hospital to
work out of? With the deadline for flight reservations fast approaching, we felt
ourselves painted into a corner, and the only definite answer we could arrive at last night
was to cancel the trip.
In our Ecuador years, we had been hosts of a larger in-country mission group that was
able to find us alternate hospitals whenever necessary, and this was too often the case.
We do not have that luxury at present.
Since September 11 we have had a few applicants, but we lost several more as a direct
result of the attacks, even up to this week. And we have no idea how many may have
planned to apply but decided against it for now.
Those deciding against coming have had very good and various reasons. Some have small
children at home, some are concerned about the responsibility of taking a large group,
some cannot bring themselves emotionally to set foot on a plane just yet. We also need to
respect the role of spouses in these decisions.
Canceling the trip was a painful decision. It has been two months in coming, and we did
not make it lightly. Even those determined to go realized that this trip had too many
strikes against it.
All application fees contributed for the 2002 trip will be refunded in full. We do plan to
go in 2003, and encourage individuals to find alternate trips in the meantime.
Our next meeting will be Monday, 21 January 2002, at 6:45 P.M. at the Health Link
Office in the Mill Mall, Ellsworth, Maine.
Ted Spurling ><>
