Crisis De Salud: Where is the support of the sick?

Throughout this year, in which the former Grady dialysis patients have been compromised treatment, several people have supported. However, there are allegations that the aid of the Hispanic community is almost nil.

Most Americans support is different organizations in the health area or individuals who have felt moved to act.

However, the participation of the community and Hispanic organizations has been limited, as Dorothy Leone-Glasser, president of Advocates for Responsible Care, one of the groups that has supported the patients in the process.

"If local Hispanic organizations do not care what is happening, how can we expect a person in South Dakota understand this crisis? Where are these organizations when their people are in danger? "
 activist questioned.

Although Leone-Glasser has received little reaction from the Hispanic community, leaders of Latino organizations claim to follow the case.

Flavia Mercado, the Hispanic Health Coalition of Georgia, said that in that organization are aware of this crisis and remain informed about the latest events, although no specific actions.

Jerry Gonzalez, director of the Association of Latino Elected Officials Georgia (Gale), confirmed that he personally is the problem carefully, but his organization is not involved in health issues.

For its part Jeffrey Tapia, executive director of the Latin American operations, said the organization has not been involved with patients because it provides health services directly.

"When they were about to close the clinic (dialysis) Some of them ask what they could do, but eventually made their directory under Grady," he said.

However, while some have remained on the sidelines, other Hispanics have been involved in the search for a solution.

Anton is the case of Flores, founder of the Alternate, who actively participated in all events of last week and even recruited others to join him, including Chayotli Angela Flores, a graduate of the University Kennesaw, and Amilcar Salvador Valencia.

In addition, former Consul of Mexico in Atlanta and founder of the Alliance for Human Rights America of Georgia (GLAHR), Teodoro Maus, also participated in meetings with groups seeking a solution to the problem. (Linda C. Perez / MH)

Community Involvement

The key defenders

Several public health students at Emory University as well as relatives and even some patients, have served as volunteers to support the sick. These are some of the characters who have been active in seeking a solution to the crisis 
 dialysis:

Activist: Dorothy Leone-Glasser 
.

The president of Adovacates for Responsible Care is involved when Grady announced it would close the dialysis clinic and several doctors was called to intercede. Organized the patients who stayed to require treatment in Atlanta.

Counsel: Lindsay Jones.

In September last year, the lawyer took the case of dialysis patients and has represented in court, in a process that Grady accused of medical neglect. Jones provides its services free of charge.

Sen. Vincent Fort.

Since Grady announced the closure of the clinic, the Democratic state legislator has been in private meetings, demonstrations and seeking a solution. Belongs to The Grady Coalition, an organization that advocates 
 hospital patients. 

Commissioner: Larry Johnson.

Johnson, DeKalb County Commissioner, has organized several meetings with private providers to get dialysis treatment of 33 patients.

Linda Carolina Perez made this research as part of a project supported by The California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowship at USC's Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism.

Carolina Perez Linda wrote this story while Participating in The California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowships, a program of USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.