For Many Tsunami Survivors, Battered Bodies, Grim Choices -NYT

[Rose Siding]

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia, Jan. 5 - In the makeshift recovery room, Dr. Paul Shumack crouched on the floor cradling the head of Novi, 35, who had already lost her husband and only child to the tsunami, and now her right leg.
...
International health officials have warned of soaring numbers of casualties among survivors of the tsunami 10 days ago, but doctors here say that many of the most seriously injured died even before medical teams arrived here near the center of the devastation.

"To some extent a process of natural selection has occurred," Dr. Shumack said. "People with no treatment at all are already dead."

Those at gravest risk now are people like Mrs. Novi, who suffered relatively minor injuries and could have been more easily saved if she had received emergency medical care last week. There is little way to know precisely how many people like her are now dying, but doctors say time is running out.

After days of trying to save grossly infected limbs at the poorly supplied military hospital here, Dr. Shumack and others have increasingly resorted to amputation, in the hope of saving lives. The number of amputations suddenly climbed this week, he said.

http://nytimes.com/2005/01/06/international/worldspecial4/06wounded.html?hp&ex=1104987600&en=cb72defda19d9beb&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[MissB]

1. They can't possibly get enough medical personnel

there fast enough to stop this from happening.

I'm not sure I'd necessarily term it a process of natural selection.

[Bouncy Ball]

2. Well that was horribly depressing.

God those poor people. That just broke my heart.

[DELUSIONAL]

3. I can't help but think of the bush created crisis in Iraq-- Fallujah

Where the injured in Fallujah were denied access to the hospital -- because that was the first target taken out by the US.

In both places the people have suffered and died because lack of medical care. In one case the tragedy could have been avoided -- and in the second case -- there is no way that the International community could get to the hardest hit areas in enough numbers to save more lives.

I am working hard to comprehend the vast destruction in both parts of the world.

If there had been a tsunami warning on the radio/TV the loss of life in Asia probably would have been decreased.

And if VP Gore would have signed on the Black Caucus four years ago -- Iraq wouldn't have been invaded.