Following the earthquake in Haiti, thousands of US medical professionals flew down to the island nation in an effort to save victims. Makeshift triage centers were set up all around Port Au Prince, but victims with critical injuries needed more urgent medical care. As patients with serious injuries were flown in the US, military issues began to question who would pick up the bill. Haiti is a poor country that is well known for having a corrupt government. Even if the Haitian government promised to pay for the care of its citizens, it may take the US years to be paid back, if ever.
Humanitarians have called the move by the US government callous and unethical. Although the US has provided aid during other international disasters, rarely have victims been flown into the country to receive medical care. The US government may have issued the order to stop flying Haitian earthquake victims into the United States, but the move was prompted by many hospitals. Citing high medical costs and overwhelmed staff, hospitals in the US that initially agreed to treat Haitian patients have pulled out.
For the time being, Haiti is relying on volunteer doctors and nurses, but it is becoming increasingly difficult for aircraft to land and for supplies to get to their predetermined destinations. Looters are regularly pillaging incoming shipments, and martial law has been issued. Members of the medical profession are working against the odds to provide care, however, the assistance of the US government and hospitals is desperately needed.
