Written by Brittany Johnson
Every minute a person dies from armed violence. But every two minutes the independent medical aid organization Emergency treats a victim who hasn't.
Since its establishment in 1994, the Italian-based organization has treated millions of people in war-stricken and post-war areas. At Emergency facilities, there is no requirement of insurance, financial clearance or identification. With the strong belief that healthcare is a basic human right, anyone who comes for treatment will receive high-standard service, absolutely free of charge.
"It is really important that people understand that human rights and medical aid are interchangeable. Our goal is to provide healthcare, as a human right advocacy organization," said Eric Talbert, Executive Director of Emergency USA.
This belief is not the only characteristic that sets Emergency apart from other medical aid groups. What may be the non-profit's most distinguishing characteristic is its exceptionally high-quality facilities and physicians in the midst of war-torn areas. With hospitals in Iraq, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Sudan and other high-conflict locations this independent organization is home to state of the art equipment, surgical care and specialized treatment in cardiology, neonatology, ophthalmology and orthopedics.
"I think it is probably the best hospital I have ever seen in the developing world," said Dr. Ed Newton, Emergency USA medical board member who has worked with various NGOs in India, Africa and Haiti.
The goal of Emergency is not only to provide top of the line healthcare for free but to also create long-term, sustainable facilities, both structurally and operatively. That is why the organization also provides medical training at all of its facilities. With top-educated international physicians as instructors and mentors, local medical professional are able to receive specialized training that is often not available in these areas. Likewise, non-medical local professionals are able to begin education in medicine if they so choose. This allows Emergency to hire local assistance whenever possible, creating a situation in which the locals can, at some point, sustain the hospital on its on.
"Eventually if everything goes well, we turn the hospital over to the local community and the international folks go home," said Talbert.
Founded 16 years ago in Italy, Emergency has established branches in the United States, Switzerland, UK and Japan. However, the work of Emergency has not only expanded in terms of location but also in its targeted patient clientele. Initially established as a neutral organization to treat victims of war, 90 percent of which are civilians in today's conflict, Emergency has broadened its coverage. Although they only open facilities in war-torn or post-war locations, they will treat anyone for any reason.
"The only rule is no weapons. Otherwise if you can get there you will be treated," said Talbert.
According to Talbert, this one rule promotes a culture of peace and solidarity, two ideas that are crucial in the organizations mission. As Emergency facilities are meant to be a safe place, a place of healing and respect for human rights; the no weapon stance is set in place to promote that.
Emergency has completed 18 programs in various locations around the world, meaning that in these areas they have created sustainable facilities and trained an entire hospital staff to become independently functional, while remaining free of charge. Amongst the 17 ongoing programs, the center in Sierra Leone is one of the most successful.
During the brutal civil war that lasted over 10 years, Sierra Leone suffered from a complete collapse of social, economical and political development. The devastation and danger of the war caused two-thirds of Sierra Leoneans to migrate to surrounding countries; many of them being medical professional. In 2001 when Emergency opened its surgical center in Goderich, outside of the country's capital Freetown, it was the only place in the country for trauma patients to receive healthcare, and remains as such to this day. Although government hospitals exist they are not effective in treating the needs of patients and their services are not free.
"The government hospital is just a large typical government hospital. They run out of basic medical supplies a lot, infection rates are high and patients have to pay cash for the services they receive," said Dr. Newton.
After 11 years, the Emergency hospital in Sierra Leone has treated over 400,000 people for free while also providing more than 340 locals with employment.
"It is a major employment center and a major training center. They've changed the community and really improved the level of medical care," said Dr. Newton.
With 5 million people around the world treated by Emergency, the non-profit has done more than heal battle scars, they have created places for people to heal, together as a community.
"Yes, there is the focus on medical services but the focus is also on community. A hospital is an essential part of that. You know you can come there and you will have running water, people from your local tribe, people who speak your language," said Talbert.
As the organization approaches two decades of providing free, high-standard healthcare to some of the most marginalized, war-torn communities in the world, Emergency has no intention on slowing down. They hope to continue expanding and reaching out to those conflict stricken areas, promoting the undeniable right of all humans to medical aid.
What YOU Can Do
Emergency can use your help! Monetary donations are much appreciated. Also, volunteers are always needed within existing chapters. Contact your local chapter and start helping today. No chapter in your area? Start a new one. For more information on how to join an existing chapter, start a new one or to make a monetary donation, go to http://www.emergencyusa.org/En/003/Get+Involved.html or email volunteer@emergencyusa.org.
Author: Brittany Johnson
Brittany Johnson is a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she earned a degree in Global Studies. She considers herself a nontraditional journalist, opting not to pursue a journalism degree but instead follow her desire for global awareness while incorporating her passion for journalism into extracurricular activities. Her journalistic experiences include serving as an Editorial Assistant Intern with nHouse Publishing, Editorial Board Member of The Daily Tar Heel (UNC-CH's student newspaper), Editor-in-Chief of Black Ink Magazine (Official Publication of the Black Student Movement at UNC-CH) , Fashion Editor of Anatomy Magazine (local publication) and a contributing writer to various publications on campus.
She believes her diverse array of activities including work as a foreign exchange intern in Tanzania, membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and involvement as public relations and social chair of various campus organization, have allowed her to develop into a more conscious and multifaceted journalist and individual.
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