M
The editors of 'Hope' now began to base their investigations on
personal research. The results were complemented by reports from
Dr. Donald Dale, a voluntary doctor at the Shamshuipo camp.
picture this investigation paints is horrifying. Before the
refugees are allowed to consult a doctor or medical personnel
they must undergo a preliminary examination by one of the former
prison warders who are responsible for this camp, Anyone who does
not seem sick enough to them is turned away. Only those who are
"practically carrying their head under their arm" are allowed to
pass through the 'uniformed eye of the needle' and then have to
climb a steep hill to reach the hospital on the top. The Shamshuipo
camp is referred to as the 'Hilton' of the Hong Kong camps. Observers
wonder what conditions must be like in the other camps.
If one
Investigations have revealed that it is not sufficient for doctors
or medical personnel to certify that a patient is critically ill
and requires hospital treatment. The final decision as to whether
a patient receives an exit pass lies with the camp guards.
adds up the number of fatalities in the individual camps, par-
ticularly for child mortality, the figure well exceeds 200. Medical
staff testify that many of these could still be alive if the camp
administration did not "arbitrarily play God".
Back in September 1979 the London newspaper 'The Observer' reported
that Hong Kong had issued the official instruction of "conscious
neglect" for the handling of the Vietnam refugees. Government
departments in London and Hong Kong reacted with weak denials.
Journalist Derek Maitland sought an interview with Hong Kong's
14
Page 165Page 166
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.