3881  Medical care - Spain - Immigrant communities of B.A.

Date: Sun, 16 Oct 2005 16:00:43 +0000
From: Sergio Vandekier <sergiovandekier990@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Medical care - Spain - Immigrant communities of B.A.

***This is not Tango related and you may not be interested.***

My own experience in Spain a member of the European Union.

While I was in Castellon (Spain) a city not far from Valencia, I got a
terrible pain in my back.

I went to the Emergency room of the Zonal Hospital. The doctor promptly
examined me, ordered an IVP ( a kidney x-ray) and diagnosed I had passed
some little stone. He gave me a prescription and recommended bed rest. All
this was free.

The doctor completing the records realized then that I was a medical doctor
visiting the area, from Argentina. As I was leaving the hospital, he came
running to the street and handed me an envelope with all the medications he
had prescribed.

At the following day, in the evening the door bell rang at the apartment
where I was staying, it was the doctor that dropped in to see how I was
doing. He sat by my bed and stayed chatting for about 30 minutes.

On other visits to Spain I had the occasion to help a lady that was mugged
and injured and also a man with an attack of acute pancreatitis (a severe
condition) . I took both to the hospital in my car; the excellent care
given was free for them as well.

During this time of economical stress, Spain and Italy have helped the
millions of citizens from their country that live in Argentina by sending
their senior citizens subsidies (about 400 dollars per month to the
Italians) , opening schools, opening and supporting geriatric centers and
retirement homes, paying for visiting trips to Spain for seniors, helping
with medical care, and many other social services, and also repairing the
facades of the beautiful buildings lining Av. de Mayo (part of the old
Spanish neighborhood). These two nations along with France(they represent
the three largest communities living there) have been investing heavily in
Argentina.

This in part is a way to recognize the help that Argentina provided those
nations during the Spanish civil War and during and after the second war.
There are in Argentina numerous communities from all over Europe, they
always helped their nations of origin during times of need.

Most of them paid tribute to Buenos Aires, the city where they live by
donating monuments that perhaps you should visit during your next trip.

The British donated "The British Tower" a beautiful replica of the Big Ben
located at Retiro across the Sheraton Hotel.

The Spaniards a white marble monument located at Palermo Parks. This is the
most beautiful one in my opinion. At its base it says" ...and remember that
we share the same history, the same language, the same religion and the same
race...

The Italians donated a monument depicting Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian
hero. Located at Plaza Italia.

The Japanese donated a marvelous Japanese Garden, an oasis of peace in the
middle of the city, located at Palermo Parks.

The Americans a replica of the Statue of liberty located in Belgrano. (the
Argentines repaid with a monument to Sarmiento located in Boston).
Sarmiento was the creator of the wonderful Argentine System of education
that from its beginnings was compulsory, free and non religious. Sarmiento
got inspiration for his creation from Horace Mann creator of the education
system for Boston and also from the Prussians.

The Canadians an Indian Totem from those found in their west located in
Retiro.

And there are many more but I do not wish to bore you with such a non tango
subject.

Best regards, Sergio