Indiana physician visits Greece to help refugee amid crisis

BEDFORD, Ind. (AP) - Dan Dusleag's life is changed forever after traveling to Greece to aid in the refugee crisis.

'œI don't want to promote anything. I just want to open people's eyes. Outside of politics, this is about humanity. They're so much like us even if they speak a different language. We can't control the wars or the violence, but we can make a difference,'ť Dusleag said.

Refugees escaping violence in the Middle East and South and Central Asia use Greece as a pathway to reach safety in Europe. Because of the European Union's rule on border restrictions, Greece has become a holding pen for migrants. Makeshift camps with inhumane conditions are becoming crowded and dangerous while immigrants wait for their asylum cases to be decided.

Being a Bedford pediatrician currently working with St. Vincent Medical Group at Dunn Hospital, Dusleag knew he had a passion for helping others from the get-go. Being an Armenian immigrant himself who has been in the United States for 30 years, assisting refugees is a cause that hits home for Dusleag. When having a free week in November, he packed his bags and flew to Samos.

Dusleag worked with the Hands On Global medical team on the Greek island of Samos, just a mile from Turkey. These shocking conditions have thousands of people camped around the jungle-like areas with inadequate shelters, sanitary facilities and food.

The volunteers, treating around 80 people a day, camp in makeshift tents set up by Ghanian volunteers. They bring their medications and supplies for treatment and provide curbside care throughout the day before taking them down during the night so their limited supplies are not stolen. Dusleag was the only pediatrician during his time there, where vaccines were provided and sick and injured patients were treated.

He noted that the stereotype of a refugee was shattered during his time there. These were students, professors, farmers, every type of profession that were camped there. People with realities they've built and dreams they're reaching for.

'œThese are ordinary people,'ť Dusleag said. 'œThese are families with kids choosing to be on a boat in the middle of the night not knowing if they will make it. They just want to be in a safe place. Normal people that just want to live normal lives from all walks of life.'ť

With so many different people, there wasn't a chance to rest with all the help that was needed. He felt rage, sadness and frustration for the migrants and their situations.

'œYou name it, it was there,'ť Dusleag said. 'œAsthma, lice, bedbugs, seizures, infections, PTSD '¦ everything.'ť

Kids walk around without company, vulnerable to the dangers around them. Many are oblivious to those dangers and the team must attempt to help them as much as they can, especially by watching them at night or keeping them away from the ocean, where they could drown. Unfortunately, there are so many children it is difficult to keep every single one safe from traffickers, accidents and more.

'œSo much trauma, so much suffering '¦ a lack of hope and humanity. You know what to do but the resources are so limited.'ť

Though they are safe from conflict zones, Dusleag describes their problems to be far from evaporated. Nearly every patient suffers from PTSD or mental trauma. Greek authorities do not allow prescription of psychological medications from the volunteers, so they provide basic psychotherapy, massage therapy and compassion for those in need of help.

There were translators for several different languages that provided a means of communication for Dusleag and the patients.

'œIt doesn't matter what language you speak,'ť Dusleag said. 'œThey just need some degree of humanity.'ť

In his journal entries from the week, he noted that people didn't lose their hearts in the situation. 'œThe locals are welcoming but exhausted, the refugees are hopeless '¦ despite waiting in limbo for months and years, people inside are hospitable.'ť

This is not a hopeless situation, however. Little differences are made every day that change people's lives. And slowly more migrants are being approved so they can begin their new lives in Greece and other European countries.

Dusleag plans to go back with a group soon. He wants to use his medical experience to make a change for those who do not have the privileges of taking a visit to the emergency room.

__

Source: The Herald-Times