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Clínic Barcelona

The S.O.S. Refugiats volunteers explain their experience in the Greek camps

The project S.O.S. Refugiats moves on. On 19 October, three Clínic professionals, doctors Arturo Huerta and Elisenda Gómez Angelats and Tessa de Alba, nurse, explained their experiences as humanitarian worker in the Greek camps to a crowded audience interested in getting first-hand knowledge about the situation that the refugees are facing.

"Our experience has overcome some setbacks". Dr. Arturo Huerta talked about the role played by many of the Clínic volunteers in refugee camps. Given the confusion that often exists in these situations, some Clínic professionals have been able to contribute with their experience and knowledge to get a better health organization. This is the case of Dr. Huerta, who did not stop until he managed to establish a circuit for diagnosing patients with suspected tuberculosis. He had to get an agreement of all NGOs in the Greek island of Chios (WAHA, MDM, Samaritans, Red Cross and Praksis) with pulmonologists the Hospital of the area and UNHCR. And he got it.

It is also the example of Dr. Paula Masgoret. She was among the attendees and recalled that the simple advice of changing gloves with refugees suffering from infected wounds can be a huge contribution to improving hygiene and prevention among the inhabitants of the camps.

"People live in hell"

Dr. Gómez Angelats described the crudeness to which those who are trapped in Europe fleeing conflict or poverty must face: according dr. Gómez Angelats, in refugee camps, "there are people living in hell." A hell that, as she recalled, is the result of an extreme situation, in many cases without a response able to offer horizons of hope from the European institutions.

In addition, information about the reality of the camps was also provided and organizational improvements were proposed. Tessa de Alba recalled the 300 Pakistanis are living outside the camp on the island of Kos and suffering from scabies; the healthcare schemes of the islands where Clínic volunteers worked, Chios and Kos, were explained, and the most common diseases among the refugees were released.

Moreover, dr. Josep M. Campistol, Clínic CEO , thanked the dedication of all volunteers who have gone to Greece, all hospital staff who has made the project possible, as well as all professionals who have offered and that beacause of various reasons have not been selected to go to the camps. Dr. Campistol also wanted to justify the project S.O.S. Refugiats as an expression of the solidarity that guide Clínic values and the willingness to go beyond Barcelona and, in so far as possible, with the assistance of thouse who are needy.