Poor disabled, Agent Orange victims to get free health care
HCM CITY (March 4, 2003)—Agent Orange victims and disabled people with low incomes in HCM City’s rural district of Cu Chi now have access to free medical services thanks to the opening of the Humanitarian Clinic.
The non-profit medical practice, located in Ward 2 of Cu Chi District, aims to serve more than 300 people with disabilities resulting from the toxic chemical defoliant, Agent Orange, which was used during the American War, and 500 other low-income disabled in the area.
The clinic will periodically extend its services with mobile medical teams to provide treatment and check-ups to 30 disabled people, and their families, who are unable to visit the clinic.
The clinic opened last week and managed by the Cu Chi District Red Cross branch, received more than US$37,000 from the US-based Concerned Citizen’s Coalition to pay for medicines and medical equipment.
Dr Charles Johnson of the Concerned Citizen’s Coalition said the Humanitarian Clinic originated from a desire to support the less fortunate members of the community.
"How exciting it is to see this wonderful clinic that will soon be treating the unfortunate victims of Agent Orange, dropped on the area during the American War," Dr Johnson said during the opening ceremony. "To help the war victims, I travelled thousands of miles telling Americans of the need for the clinic.
"It was really hard work for an old man like me, but I persisted almost day and night because of the deep love and concern I found among Americans wanting to help the Cu Chi people."
The clinic’s opening coincided with Vietnamese Physicians’ Day. Clinic staff provided health checks and medicines to 50 Agent Orange victims and handed out gifts to 30 families of war victims.
To improve the living standard for families of war victims, the coalition will also provide monthly financial support. In addition, they will pay for staff salaries and medical supplies for the first year of the clinic’s operation. — VNS
