Where is the Outrage?--July 8, 2021

 

Photo by John Carroll

Tragedy in Haiti

Well, we all got up today and found out that Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise was assassinated early this morning in his home in the hills above Port au Prince. And his wife, First Lady Martine Moise, was severely wounded.

This event, of course, is very bad. It makes no difference whether one was for or against his policies–killing President Moise was immoral. And Haiti most likely will continue its swirl downwards after this assassination as many people jockey for power.

Governments from all over the world are now chiming in and stating their outrage. How could this have happened? But where are these ambassadors and diplomats when many Haitians die every day in a country that has absolutely no respect for its 11 million citizens? Where is the outrage then?

This morning Mrs. Moise was medevacked 700 miles to Miami in critical condition to receive the world’s best medical care in a Miami hospital. Haiti has no ability to care for her. So she was immediately accepted by the United States, but my patient Mr. Valcin with a serious heart problem, was denied a visa by the US State Department for pro bono heart surgery. Why?

It is simple–Mr. Valcin’s life was not as valued as Mrs. Moise’s life. Even though they lived not far from each other and had the same red blood we all have, one was expendable while the other is not.

There simply is no outrage when most of the world suffers. And that is a big problem.

 

John A. Carroll, MD

www.haitianhearts.org