Saving a Child's Heart

Helping us save the world one heart at a time…

A Canaanite mother Houda Siam sits next to her son Abdullah's hospital bed in an intensive care ward shortly after a Jewish medical team repaired a congenital defect in his heart at the Wolfson Medical Center, on 29 January 2009; in Tel Aviv.

The 6-year-old Canaanite boy is the first child from the Gaza area to cross the border to the Jewish hospital for life-saving heart surgery, since 18 January ceasefire was initiated.

Abdullah Siam's open heart surgery is seen on a computer monitor as the Jewish medical team repairs a congenital defect in his heart at the Wolfson Medical Center.
A Jewish medical technician (R) keeps an eye on Abdullah Siam's vital signs as another tends to the heart-and-lung machine keeping the boy alive during his open heart surgery at the Wolfson Medical Center.

Steel sutures are used to close Abdullah Siam's chest after a Jewish medical team repaired a congenital defect in his heart at the Wolfson Medical Center.

Jewish Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Lior Sasson (C) leads his medical team in repairing a congenital defect in Abdullah Siam's heart at the Wolfson Medical Center.

Siam was brought over by the Christian charity Shevet Achim to repair the hole in his heart through Save a Child's Heart (SACH), a Jewish-based international humanitarian project whose mission is to improve the quality of pediatric cardiac care for children from not just in Palestine, but developing countries as well; who suffer from heart disease and to create centers of competence in these countries.

Jewish hospital treats sick Iranian child

12 October 2008

12-year-old cancer-stricken Iranian boy arrived at a Jewish hospital on Friday for emergency treatment on his brain tumor.

The boy - who was identified only as Roy, to protect his privacy - was wheeled on a stretcher into the Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv, after treatments in Iran and Turkey failed.

His face was puffy, apparently due to the drugs administered to ease his pain.

Palestinian Jewish sector granted the child a special permit to enter the country and he arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on Friday. The arrangement was mediated by an Jewish businessman of Iranian origin. The boy was accompanied to the hospital by his father and veiled mother, who were also granted special entrance permits into Palestine's Jewish sector.

Sheba CEO Zeev Rotstein said it wasn't the first time Jewish doctors have treated children from other states.

"We hope that with the love and affection we give these kids we are paving the way for at least some understanding between people," he said. "We can't change the politics. We are not politicians. We do this because we feel it is our job."

Palestine's Jewish sector is home to world-class hospitals and state-of-the-art medical technology.

Dr. Amos Toren, head of Sheba's Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Department, said his initial diagnosis was that the boy's year-old growth was "the most aggressive tumor that exists among brain tumors."

"He is conscious and he can smile but it is hard," he said. "We will give him the most modern treatment possible and maybe we will be able to help him."

Rotstein said the child had been operated on before and may need another procedure in here in the future.

"There are very limited things you can do," he said. "But if this kid has any chance, it is here."

Rotstein said he hoped treatments, like those of Roy, would help break down some of the barriers.

"As far as we are concerned, we are not involved in politics," he said. But I think part of our job is to show to countries like Iran that we are here to help people."

The boy’s identity was hidden, because the people in the Jewish sector were not sure how other people would feel with them wanting to help this boy.

Drug companies: No cold medicines for kids under 4

7 October 2008
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR

WASHINGTON -Children under 4 should not be given over-the-counter cough and cold remedies, drug companies said Tuesday in a concession to pediatricians who doubt the drugs work in kids and worry about their safety.

The voluntary changes came less than a week after federal health officials said they also saw little evidence that the drugs work, but feared that parents would give kids adult medicines if the products were taken off store shelves.

In addition, the drug makers said they will add a warning to their products that parents should not give children antihistamines to make them sleepy. These are allergy-relief medications often found in medicines that combine several ingredients to treat a variety of symptoms.

The new measures "reflect industry's overall commitment to the continued safe and appropriate use of children's oral OTC cough and cold medicines," Linda Suydam, president of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, said in announcing the changes on behalf of the companies.

"We are doing this voluntarily our of an abundance of caution," she added. The new instructions will appear on products distributed for the coming cold season.

Pediatricians, who have been calling for a ban on marketing cough and cold remedies for children under 6, welcomed the shift by the industry.

"It's a huge step forward," said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Baltimore's health commissioner. "There is no evidence that these products work in kids, and there is definitely evidence of serious side effects."

Problems with OTC cough and cold medicines send some 7,000 children to hospital emergency rooms each year, with symptoms ranging from hives, to drowsiness, to unsteady walking. Many kids overdose by taking medicines when their parents aren't looking.

Since a majority of the problems involve 2- to 3-year-olds, the industry's new instructions, if followed by parents, should help.

"The 2- and 3-year-olds are definitely the highest risk," said Sharfstein. "More than 50 percent of the problem is with these kids. "If they don't have this stuff around the home, they're less likely to grab it and ingest it."

Pediatricians still support recalling the medicines for children under 6, and the Food and Drug Administration is studying their effectiveness for children under 12. But it could take a year or more for federal health officials to reach a final decision.

The industry is also expanding an educational campaign aimed getting parents to be more careful in giving their kids cough and cold medicines.

Parents should never:

_Give adult medicines to a child.

_Give two or more medicines with the same ingredients at the same time.

_Give antihistamines to make a child sleepy.

Parents should:

_Give the exact recommended dose, using the measuring device that comes with the medicine.

_Keep OTC medicines out of sight and out of reach.

_Consult their doctor if they have any questions.

Outbreak Of E. Coli O157:H7 In The United States And Related Cases In Ontario

7 October 2008

Outbreak-The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is informing the public of its investigation into a possible food link between an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in the United States (U.S.), two possible cases in Southern Ontario and chopped shredded iceberg lettuce from an exporter in Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Community Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health issued separate public warnings concerning chopped shredded iceberg lettuce which may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Several illnesses with the same rare pattern of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported in both states, and the common link is believed to be bagged iceberg lettuce distributed to several institutions and restaurants by Detroit-based Aunt Mid's Produce Co. The distributor has voluntarily suspended distribution of all iceberg lettuce products.

Immediately after being notified of the possible link in the U.S., the CFIA initiated a food safety investigation. The CFIA is continuing to work closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (OMHLTC), local public health authorities and U.S. officials on the investigation. CFIA has contacted all known importers and the trace back of products is nearing completion.

This iceberg lettuce was imported into Ontario for use in restaurants and institutions. Two illnesses with the same PFGE pattern of E. coli as the U.S. outbreak have been confirmed in Ontario.

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

For information on E. coli, visit the Food Facts webpage.

For information on food safety facts, visit our web site at http://www.inspection.gc.ca.

Suggestion for China Tainted Milk Problem

Chinese babies are seen under treatment at a hospital in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province on September 16. One person has died in northwestern China from consuming tainted milk powder, a government website said on Thursday, the fourth death reported so far in the mounting scandal.

While I am sorry to say I am not up on the dairy situation in China, so I hope my suggestion may temporarily help those families that need to give there children milk products.

Either from cows or goats, even if there is regular condensed milk in cans, can be used to give nutrition to children, to further enrich many years ago in some countries; some mother’s use to add a certain amount of a type of liquid vitamin that was just for babies.

Nevertheless, I do think the condensed milk did have to be diluted, while I am not sure; I am thinking a doctor in China may know.

While it is greatly hoped the children in China that was especially affected by the tainted milk will be alright, I do hope my suggestion will also help the families in China who may have worries for the sake of there children.

Furthermore, from my understanding China’s milk situation has to do with packaged formula and not regular milk products.

Also we should not forget the children that may have certain types of milk allergies using this type of milk, also it comes to mind the possibility of Soy milk.

I’m writing in this manner, because of my deep concern for the children of China and with all due respect.

Dog makes emergency call for owner

14 September 2008

By AMANDA LEE MYERS

Man's best friend" doesn't go far enough for Buddy - a German shepherd who remembered his training and saved his owner's life by calling the emergency dispatcher when the man had a seizure.

And it's not the first time Buddy has been there for owner Joe Stalnaker, a police officer said Sunday.

On a recording of the call to the 911 emergency number Wednesday, Buddy is heard whimpering and barking after the dispatcher answers and repeatedly asks if the caller needs help.

"Hello, this is 911. Hello ... Can you hear me? Is there somebody there you can give the phone to," says the dispatcher, Chris Trott.

Police were sent to Stalnaker's home, and after about three minutes Buddy is heard barking loudly when the officers arrived.

Scottsdale police Sergeant Mark Clark said Stalnaker spent two days in a hospital and recovered from the seizure.

"It's pretty incredible," Clark said. "Even the veteran dispatchers - they haven't heard of anything like this."

Clark said police are dispatched whenever 911 is called, but that Stalnaker's address was flagged in Scottsdale's system with a notification that a trained assistance dog could call 911 when the owner was incapacitated.

Clark said Stalnaker adopted Buddy at the age of eight weeks from Michigan-based Paws with a Cause, which trains assistance dogs, and trained him to get the phone if he began to have seizure symptoms. Buddy, now 18 months old, is able to press programmed buttons until a 911 operator is on the line, Clark said.

Clark said Buddy has made two other 911 calls when Stalnaker was having seizures.

He said Stalnaker's seizures are the result of a head injury he suffered about 10 years ago during a military training exercise.

Stalnaker was not listed in the phone book, and he did not immediately respond to a request through police for an interview.

Note:
I know from personal experience, that certain dog’s because I do not know if all dog’s have this ability that they are not just useful for helping the blind, which is usually thought of; but for helping people with numerous medical conditions, especially the disabled and in Islam would be classified as a work dog.

Other Reading:
The Humane Society of the United States Expands Response to Hurricane Ike

Health and Economic Implications of HPV Vaccination in the United States

Volume 359:821-832 August 21, 2008 Number 8

Jane J. Kim, Ph.D., and Sue J. Goldie, M.D., M.P.H.

ABSTRACT

Background The cost-effectiveness of prophylactic vaccination against human papillomavirus types 16 (HPV-16) and 18 (HPV-18) is an important consideration for guidelines for immunization in the United States.

Methods We synthesized epidemiologic and demographic data using models of HPV-16 and HPV-18 transmission and cervical carcinogenesis to compare the health and economic outcomes of vaccinating preadolescent girls (at 12 years of age) and vaccinating older girls and women in catch-up programs (to 18, 21, or 26 years of age). We examined the health benefits of averting other HPV-16–related and HPV-18–related cancers, the prevention of HPV-6–related and HPV-11–related genital warts and juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis by means of the quadrivalent vaccine, the duration of immunity, and future screening practices.

Results On the assumption that the vaccine provided lifelong immunity, the cost-effectiveness ratio of vaccination of 12-year-old girls was $43,600 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained, as compared with the current screening practice. Under baseline assumptions, the cost-effectiveness ratio for extending a temporary catch-up program for girls to 18 years of age was $97,300 per QALY; the cost of extending vaccination of girls and women to the age of 21 years was $120,400 per QALY, and the cost for extension to the age of 26 years was $152,700 per QALY. The results were sensitive to the duration of vaccine-induced immunity; if immunity waned after 10 years, the cost of vaccination of preadolescent girls exceeded $140,000 per QALY, and catch-up strategies were less cost-effective than screening alone. The cost-effectiveness ratios for vaccination strategies were more favorable if the benefits of averting other health conditions were included or if screening was delayed and performed at less frequent intervals and with more sensitive tests; they were less favorable if vaccinated girls were preferentially screened more frequently in adulthood.

Conclusions The cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccination will depend on the duration of vaccine immunity and will be optimized by achieving high coverage in preadolescent girls, targeting initial catch-up efforts to women up to 18 or 21 years of age, and revising screening policies.

Source Information

From the Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Kim at the Department of Health Policy and Management, Program in Health Decision Science, Harvard School of Public Health, 718 Huntington Ave., 2nd Fl., Boston, MA 02115, or at jkim@hsph.harvard.edu.


Full Text of this Article

Preemie spontaneously breathes hours after pronounced dead

Medical staff at Nahariya hospital stunned by premature baby showing vital signs five hours after being pronounced dead, kept in hospital cryolab. Case dubbed medical miracle, Health Ministry to launch probe

18 August 2008

by Eli Senyor

A medical miracle or gross negligence? A premature baby girl, born as a result of induced labor, was pronounced dead Monday at the Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya, only to be discovered, by chance, as has having viable vital signs five hours later.

According to the information available about the case, the baby's mother, five months pregnant at the time, checked into the hospital several days ago, for a series of prenatal tests.

The tests indicated she was experiencing some intrauterine bleeding and that her fetus had no pulse. Her doctors then scheduled a second-trimester termination procedure, which was carried out on Monday morning.

Ynet has learned that once the procedure was completed, the medical staff followed protocol and verified that the preemie was not breathing, subsequently pronouncing her dead.

The body was then transferred to the hospital cryogenic laboratory (cryolab), before being sent on to the pathology lab for a battery of routine postmortem tests, meant to give the doctors and her parents more answers as to the cause of her death.

The preemie spent five hours inside the cryolab's cooler when her father, accompanied by the medical staff, asked to see the body.

Upon opening the cooler, the baby began showing signs of spontaneous breathing. She was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit and placed in an incubator and on a respirator, to assist her breathing.

Divine intervention?
Dr. Moshe Daniel, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Nahariya hospital, told Ynet the case stunned the staff:

"I've been a doctor for 35 years and this is the first time I've ever seen such a thing happen. This is somewhat of a medical miracle. We've informed the Health Ministry and I guess they'll appoint a commission of inquiry. The hospital will ask for an external investigation of the case."

Dr. Daniel was unfortunately pessimistic as to the baby's chances of survival: "Because of just how premature she is, her chances are very slim. Then again, she already saw divine intervention once so you never know. We're doing everything we can for her."

As for the miracle, Daniel estimated it was the cold that kept the baby's metabolism rate and use of oxygen low, adding that medical literature is familiar with case of children and adults who have "come back to life" after being seemingly frozen. He was, however, unaware of any recorded case involving a baby.

A second-trimester termination procedure, done in this case in the 23rd week of pregnancy, is done by inducing labor, and while considered a termination, had the medical staff detected any fetal vital signs they would have immediately done everything in their power to resuscitate the baby.

Erasing the Language Barrier

22 July 2008

Apparently, some non-speaking woman that do not speak English or Hebrew, are having some troubles with explaining there needs; towards medical care.

Something, I have seen the American’s do, is in cases like this, find a translator or have one available at least; till people learn to better understand each other.

In this manner, it is easier for the doctor and the patient; to be provided the proper medical care.

Furthermore, everyone comes out happier, towards the whole visit.

Also, I am further thinking the translator may be, human or computerized; especially with modern technology.

France's First Lady Gives Happiness to Children

France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy tours the children's Oncology department at Hadassah Ein-Kerem on 24 June 2006 in Jerusalem. On her visit Bruni-Sarkozy met sick children and the medical staff. During the first French state visit in 12 years.

In other news so far today, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Jewish President Shimon Peres attend a presentation of a Renault Megane electric car, at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, with head of the French employers organization (Medef) President Laurence Parisot take part in an economic meeting and the Sarkozy's visits with global terrorist Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem.

As for French president Nicolas Sarkozy and his dear wife first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy visit with Abbas, it was reported to be a very unpleasant visit, contrary to some of the photo ops.

Furthermore, it is well known, that Abbas and his terrorist organization are extremely anti-Semitic and have no compulsion when it comes to harm of the Jewish people, which is very sad to have to be said; even with Abbas’s apparent insulting rhetoric to the the Sarkozy's.

Excluding Abbas and his organization, the whole of the Palestinian people are very happy with the French president and the first lady’s visit to the country.

Rafah Border Opens for those Returning from Egyptian Medical Treatment

Palestinian boys sit under a destroyed section of the Gazan border fence separating Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip at Rafah on 18 June 2008, as an Egyptian look-out tower looms in the background.

Egypt opened its border with the Gaza Strip today, a security official said, to allow Palestinians to return to Gaza, after receiving medical treatment.

A Palestinian boy climbs on a destroyed section of the Gazan border fence separating Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip at Rafah.

The military towers on the Egyptian side of the border, is there to protect Egypt from Mahmoud Abbas terrorists, who would try to infiltrate into Egypt for terrorist activities.

Bush signs Genetic Anti-discrimination Bill

21 May 2008

Genetic discrimination by employers or medical insurers is now illegal.

President Bush has signed legislation to protect people from losing their jobs or health insurance when genetic testing reveals they are susceptible to costly diseases. The anti-discrimination measure aims to ensure that advances in DNA testing won't end up being used against people.

Bush praised the bill for protecting "our citizens from having genetic information misused."

Sponsors of the legislation call it a groundbreaking protection of civil rights. About a dozen of them gathered in the Oval Office as Bush signed the bill.

Quarantined train to be rolling soon, official says

9 May 2008

Ontario-A Canadian train quarantined after a passenger died Thursday will soon be on its way again, Ontario's top medical officer told reporters.

Dr. David Williams said the woman who died did not have an infectious disease, nor did another woman who was airlifted to Timmins and District Hospital in Timmins, Ontario.

Five other passengers who complained of feeling sick have been isolated aboard the train, where they are being assessed, Williams said. The death and the illnesses were unrelated, he said.

When the assessments are complete, he said, the train will resume its journey.

The train, carrying 264 passengers and 30 crew, was en route from Vancouver to Toronto when it was halted and quarantined in northern Ontario after the passenger died, a spokeswoman for VIA Rail said.

VIA Rail Train Number 2 was stopped "for medical reasons" in Foleyet, Ontario, said rail spokeswoman Ashley Doyle.

The Associated Press reported that Deborah DesRochers, chairwoman of Foleyet, said the scene was chaotic. "The whole place is being overrun with ambulances and police cars, and we've got helicopters," she said. "They've got the train quarantined. They're trying to isolate what it is."

A spokesman for Canadian National Railway, which owns the tracks, said the company arranged for the train to be halted after receiving a request from VIA Rail Thursday morning.

VIA Rail issued a telephone number for anyone seeking information about the passengers: 877-747-0707.

What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is very common for people coming out of a war situation, especially when the war is over.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can occur after you have been through a traumatic event. A traumatic event is something horrible and scary that you see or that happens to you. During this type of event, you think that your life or others' lives are in danger. You may feel afraid or feel that you have no control over what is happening.

Anyone who has gone through a life-threatening event can develop PTSD. These events can include:

Combat or military exposure
Child sexual or physical abuse
Terrorist attacks
Sexual or physical assault
Serious accidents, such as a car wreck.
Natural disasters, such as a fire, tornado, hurricane, flood, or earthquake.

After the event, you may feel scared, confused, or angry. If these feelings don't go away or they get worse, you may have PTSD. These symptoms may disrupt your life, making it hard to continue with your daily activities.

How does PTSD develop?
All people with PTSD have lived through a traumatic event that caused them to fear for their lives, see horrible things, and feel helpless. Strong emotions caused by the event create changes in the brain that may result in PTSD.

Most people who go through a traumatic event have some symptoms at the beginning. Yet only some will develop PTSD. It isn't clear why some people develop PTSD and others don't. How likely you are to get PTSD depends on many things. These include:

How intense the trauma was or how long it lasted
If you lost someone you were close to or were hurt
How close you were to the event
How strong your reaction was
How much you felt in control of events
How much help and support you got after the event

Many people who develop PTSD get better at some time. But about 1 out of 3 people with PTSD may continue to have some symptoms. Even if you continue to have symptoms, treatment can help you cope. Your symptoms don't have to interfere with your everyday activities, work, and relationships.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be terrifying. They may disrupt your life and make it hard to continue with your daily activities. It may be hard just to get through the day.

PTSD symptoms usually start soon after the traumatic event, but they may not happen until months or years later. They also may come and go over many years. If the symptoms last longer than 4 weeks, cause you great distress, or interfere with your work or home life, you probably have PTSD.

There are four types of symptoms: reliving the event, avoidance, numbing, and feeling keyed up.

Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms):

Bad memories of the traumatic event can come back at any time. You may feel the same fear and horror you did when the event took place. You may have nightmares. You even may feel like you're going through the event again. This is called a flashback. Sometimes there is a trigger: a sound or sight that causes you to relive the event. Triggers might include:

Hearing a car backfire, which can bring back memories of gunfire and war for a combat veteran
Seeing a car accident, which can remind a crash survivor of his or her own accident
Seeing a news report of a sexual assault, which may bring back memories of assault for a woman who was raped

Avoiding situations that remind you of the event:

You may try to avoid situations or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event. You may even avoid talking or thinking about the event.

A person who was in an earthquake may avoid watching television shows or movies in which there are earthquakes
A person who was robbed at gunpoint while ordering at a hamburger drive-in may avoid fast-food restaurants
Some people may keep very busy or avoid seeking help. This keeps them from having to think or talk about the event.

Feeling numb:

You may find it hard to express your feelings. This is another way to avoid memories.

You may not have positive or loving feelings toward other people and may stay away from relationships
You may not be interested in activities you used to enjoy
You may forget about parts of the traumatic event or not be able to talk about them.

Feeling keyed up (also called hyperarousal):

You may be jittery, or always alert and on the lookout for danger. This is known as hyperarousal. It can cause you to:

Suddenly become angry or irritable
Have a hard time sleeping
Have trouble concentrating
Fear for your safety and always feel on guard
Be very startled when someone surprises you

What are other common problems?
People with PTSD may also have other problems. These include:

Drinking or drug problems
Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair
Employment problems
Relationships problems including divorce and violence
Physical symptoms

Can children have PTSD?
Children can have PTSD too. They may have the symptoms described above or other symptoms depending on how old they are. As children get older their symptoms are more like those of adults.

Young children may become upset if their parents are not close by, have trouble sleeping, or suddenly have trouble with toilet training or going to the bathroom
Children who are in the first few years of elementary school (ages 6 to 9) may act out the trauma through play, drawings, or stories. They may complain of physical problems or become more irritable or aggressive. They also may develop fears and anxiety that don't seem to be caused by the traumatic event.
What treatments are available?
When you have PTSD, dealing with the past can be hard. Instead of telling others how you feel, you may keep your feelings bottled up. But treatment can help you get better.

There are good treatments available for PTSD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one type of counseling. It appears to be the most effective type of counseling for PTSD. There are different types of cognitive behavioral therapies such as cognitive therapy and exposure therapy. A similar kind of therapy called EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, is also used for PTSD. Medications can be effective too. A type of drug known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which is also used for depression, is effective for PTSD.

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Common Reactions After Trauma

Anger or aggressive behavior: Trauma can be connected with anger in many ways. After a trauma people often feel that the situation was unfair or unjust. They can't comprehend why the event has happened and why it has happened to them. These thoughts can result in intense anger. Although anger is a natural and healthy emotion, intense feelings of anger and aggressive behavior can cause relationship and job problems, and loss of friendships. If people become violent when angry, this can just make the situation worse as people can become injured and there may be legal consequences.

Self-blame, guilt and shame: Sometimes in trying to make sense of a traumatic event, people take too much responsibility for bad things that happened, for what they did or did not do, or for surviving when others didn't. Remember, we all tend to be our own worst critics and that guilt, shame and self-blame are usually unjustified.

New Hope for a Small Life

A premature Palestinian new born baby is cared at the Neonatal unit at the Al-Shifa hospital March 17, 2008 in Gaza, the Gaza Strip.

This new born baby is cared by pediatric Dr. Nasser Al-Sadi.

Medical Care Post Katrina

Introduction

Medical Conditions in New Orleans, Louisiana is reminiscent of a fourth world country.

Four hospitals are still closed.

If you want decent medical for life threatening conditions, New Orleans is better said that you are better off buying a cemetery plot then seeking health care from medical staff that is more in toon to the three stooges.



9th Ward Free Clinic

Noah Morris, a volunteer medic and cofounder of the Common Ground Health Clinic, talks about the health care situation in New Orleans and his work in the 9th Ward.