Unsung Heroes: Doctors Without Borders Deployed to the U.S. For the Very First Time
Doctors Without Borders, a humanitarian organization, has sent doctors and nurses for the first time to the U.S. to help the Navajo Nation, according to a recently published article.
Who Are the Doctors Without Borders?
The Doctors Without Borders is known for sending a team of medical professionals around the world most especially in places where there is a need for medical attention. They provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disaster, or those who do not have access to healthcare.
The group was founded in 1971 by group journalists and doctors in Paris in 1971. Their actions are guided by medical ethics of impartiality, independence, and neutrality as sworn doctors who dedicate their time for humanitarian purposes. At present, the organization has more than 67,000 members worldwide.
Doctors Without Borders sent to the U.S. for the Very First Time
The organization is known for sending its doctors and nurses in different areas. Recently, they were stationed in the known international conflict zones like Afghanistan, Iran, Venezuela, and other more than 60 countries.
This time, the organization has deployed a team of doctors for the very first time to the U.S. to help the Navajo Nation. Just like any other tribes in the world, they do not have much access to the healthcare access offered by the federal government amid the global pandemic.
Under the CARES Act signed by Pres. Donald Trump on March 27, the federal government has allocated $8 billion relief funding to the tribes.
Where are the Members of the Tribe Situated?
Geographically, the Navajo Nation is part of American territory that occupies portions of northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah, and northwestern New Mexico in the United States. Their land is approximately more than 17 million acres.
At present, the place is the home to more than 170,000 people. Unfortunately, the tribe has more COVID-19 cases per capita in the U.S. It is estimated that for every 100,000 people there are 1,786 COVID-19 cases.
Members of the tribe are highly vulnerable to the virus because of their pre-medical conditions. Common comorbidities of the tribe are diabetes and hypertension. Despite the present problem in the tribe, they have shortages of medical personnel.
Number of COVID-19 Cases in the Tribe
At present, the largest tribe in the U.S. has recorded more than 3,100 cases of COVID-19 with a death toll of more than 100, according to a recently published article.
The tribe is more worried about their elders who are highly susceptible to the virus. The elders are in-charge of preserving the tribe's language and culture. In most cases, those who have severe conditions are airlifted to the hospitals outside the reservation.
How Doctors Without Borders Help Them?
To somehow gave aid to this problem, the organization sent a medical team that will help them combat COVID-19. According to a report they are comprised of two physicians, three nurses, a water station specialist, two logisticians, and one health promoter.
Jean Stowell, the head of the organization, said: "There are many situations in which we do not intervene in the United States, but this has a particular risk profile."
Moreover, one out of three persons in the area does not have access to running water and the community depends on their food outside since much do not grow in the place.
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