This is topic Falsely accused health care workers face the death penalty UPDATE: They're free! in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


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Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
 
Six health care workers in Libya have been accused of deliberately spreading HIV among children in a hospital where they were working. They are currently on trial, and a verdict is expected on December 19th.

New genetic analysis of the viruses strongly suggests that the nurses and doctor accused are not to blame. They are most likely scapegoats to cover up the poor hygiene that is probably responsible for the outbreak.

I'm not sure exactly how much we can do to stop this, but I've already written to my senators asking them to do what they can to put pressure on Libya. In addition to being a travesty of justice, the execution of the health care workers may well cause a chilling effect on foreign medical aid and will allow Libya to keep ignoring the problems with their medical system.

Edit: here's a link that lists contact information for the Libyan government and various members of the U.S. government who might be in a position to do something.

[ July 24, 2007, 04:06 PM: Message edited by: Shigosei ]
 

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Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
 
Oh, dear god.
 

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Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
 
Yeah, I read about that a while ago. It's horrible, absolutely horrible.
 

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Posted by Nikisknight (Member # 8918) on :
 
I cannot even begin to imagine why 6 docotrs would intentionally spread a contagious deadly disease. One, maybe two psychos, perhaps, but 6 random murderers?
 

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Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
 
There seems to be a certain amount of paranoia regarding foreign health aid in third-world countries. Some people in African nations (Nigeria in particular) are refusing polio vaccinations because they think that they have been deliberately contaminated. Unfortunately, this has led to an increase in polio cases. We're on the verge of wiping it out, and I'd hate to see it make a comeback.
 

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Posted by Libbie (Member # 9529) on :
 
Oh, my. This can't end well. I hope it does, though.
 

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Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
 
First, I want to say that this case is BS. More likely than not, the local government is just playing politics to please the local population or to make a point.

However to comment on Shigosei's post,I don't want to condone such a practice. But there is an interesting debate about whether contaminated polio vaccines did cause AIDS. I actually saw an interesting documentary on it on the CBC, which gave a more detailed version of what is listed for OPV Aids hypothesis.

I personally believe that the theory has a low probability of being correct, but thats a far cry from zero. Given bizarre diseases such as kuru or mad-cow, I do not have difficulty believing that a past vaccine made from chimpanzee brains may have had problems.

Now, cutting out a polio vaccine now seems to be like closing the barn door when the barn is on fire. AIDS already is rampant and the odds are so much more likely for person-person transmition than a polio vaccine now.

But it is an interesting idea.
 

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Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
 
They've been found guilty.
 

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Posted by Dasa (Member # 8968) on :
 
That is horrible
 

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Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
 
Update:
So they won't be executed afterall:
http://www.thestar.com/article/176131
 

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Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
 

quote:

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"The case went in the wrong direction from the very beginning. There were many manipulations in the original files, many errors... This is why we should seek a compromise," Saif al-Islam said

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quote:

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Originally posted by Noemon:
They've been released!

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Looks like the state has decided to grant them "health care" instead of revoking it.
 

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Posted by vonk (Member # 9027) on :
 
Wow! What a relief! I didn't realize this was an old thread at first and this has been quite the emotional rollercoaster.
 

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Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
 
I'm so glad that the nurses and doctor are finally safe at home! It's a relief to know that they are back with their families after all they've been through.

It's a shame, though, that so many years of their lives were stolen, that they were tortured, and that Libya had to be, in essence, bribed to release them. I'm disappointed that the Libyan justice system refused to acknowledge their innocence.
 

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Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
Thanks for the update, Noem.
 

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