Updates Archive

Updates Archive – F

Subject: Mulukuku Clinic to Open March 8th! Dorothy Still Needs Our Help!
Date: Sat, 03 Mar 2001 23:13:56 -0800
From: Jill Winegardner and Gerry Condon

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UPDATE AND ACTION ALERT
IN SUPPORT OF DOROTHY GRANADA
AND THE WOMEN'S CLINIC OF MULUKUKU

www.PeaceHost.net/Dorothy
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March 3, 2001

DEAR FRIENDS of Dorothy Granada and the Women's Clinic in Mulukuku,

WE NEED TO MAKE A FINAL PUSH to consolidate our victory. Dorothy Granada is walking freely in the streets of Managua and Mulukukú. She is universally celebrated in Nicaragua because of her courage and her commitment to bettering the lot of the poor. And the Women's Clinic in Mulukukú is scheduled to re-open on this coming Thursday, March 8, International Women's Day!

BUT DOROTHY'S SUCCESS IS NOT GOING UNCHALLENGED. Nicaragua's Minister of Internal Affairs Jose Marenco has appealed to the Supreme Court of Nicaragua in a final effort to overturn Dorothy's legal victory. Even with all that has transpired, this government has apparently not given up on its desire to deport Dorothy.

THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH HAS INFORMED DOROTHY they will conduct an inspection of the Clinic the day before allowing it to open on March 8th. There are a number of mixed signals regarding the re-opening of the Women's Clinic in Mulukukú. Clearly, our collective action continues to be important, at least for a little while longer.

THE ROLE OF THE U.S. EMERGENCY RESPONSE NETWORK in winning this big victory for human rights in Nicaragua is being applauded as an historic accomplishment. But in fact we have not yet finished the job. It would be a grave mistake for us to ease the pressure in the "end game" phase of this struggle. Dorothy is specifically requesting that we remobilize the fax brigade in the crucial days ahead. We hope that you will relish rejoining this effort and helping to secure this important victory.

Below you will find our familiar format: 1) Update; 2) Analysis; 3) Suggested Actions; and 4) Contact Numbers.

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1) UPDATE:

WOMEN'S CLINIC IN MULUKUKU TO OPEN NEXT WEEK !!
The best and most exciting news is that Dorothy has secured a verbal promise from the Ministry of Health (MINSA) that the Women's Clinic may re-open next Thursday, March 8, which is, coincidentally, International Women's Day. On last Thursday, February 22, Dorothy met with a middle-ranking official at MINSA to discuss her plan to re-open the Women's Clinic in Mulukuku. She was told that she would be given an answer on Tuesday, February 27.

On Tuesday she spoke with Dr. Armando Parajon, in charge of Regulation of Clinics and Hospitals from MINSA. Dr. Parajon told her that he would head up a team that would conduct an inspection of the Women's Clinic on Wednesday, March 7 and that the Clinic would then have to wait a period of time before opening. Dorothy reminded Dr. Parajon that the Women's Clinic had been closed without any notice on December 12th, that no provision had been made for the Clinic's patients, and that even now they were without care; that no more deaths should be allowed due to lack of medical care. Dr. Parajon then said he would work with the Women's Clinic in Mulukukú to help the Clinic meet MINSA's requirements, and that the Clinic could have a three month "provisional opening," beginning on this coming Thursday, March 8th.

MINISTER OF HEALTH SENDS LETTER TO U.S. CHURCHES
Nicaragua's Minister of Health, Mariángeles Argüello, recently sent a letter to Nadine Monn, Special Advisor for Latin America to the Church of the Brethren, and one of the signers of the Ecumenical Letter to President Alemán which was printed in Nicaraguan papers in mid-January. To our knowledge, this is the first and only official response of the Nicaraguan government to any of our letters, including the Congressional letter to President Alemán. In her letter, dated February 22, 2001, Minister Argüello basically describes a detailed plan to enhance health services at the government's health post in Mulukukú and generally to increase health services in the region. Dorothy has made it clear that the government health post in no way mirrors the description in the health minister's letter.

MINISTER ARGÜELLO STATES IN HER LETTER that these additional resources are being provided "due to the closing of the María Luisa Ortiz Clinic." She says nothing about the re-opening of the Clinic. We are concerned that this letter may reflect MINSA's ongoing resistance to fully supporting the Maria Luisa Ortiz Clinic. The health minister's letter will be translated in the next few days and posted on this website, along with a detailed response from Dorothy Granada.

NICARAGUAN GOVERNMENT APPEALS TO SUPREME COURT
José Marenco, Nicaragua's Minister of Internal Affairs, and President Alemán's point man in the persecution of Dorothy Granada, has appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn Dorothy's legal victory. After the Appeals Court decision in Dorothy's favor, a statement from Marenco was read on live television suggesting that the government would not pursue its legal case further. The next day Marenco stated that they would in fact appeal to the Supreme Court. Then Marenco missed the initial deadline for filing such an appeal but was reportedly given a six day extension. We were told that he missed this deadline also, but now we have learned that he did in fact file an appeal.

The Appeals Court ruling nullified the government's deportation order against Dorothy and restored her Nicaraguan residency. The Supreme Court is required to render a decision within 60 days, but has been known to delay decisions beyond their deadlines in the past.

IF THE COURT DOES RULE AGAINST DOROTHY, the government must then bring new accusations and give her a legal hearing. They cannot deport her without following the correct legal procedures. All along, Dorothy has asked nothing more than to be given her due process rights under the law. That she is receiving these now is in itself a victory.

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2) ANALYSIS:

IT AIN'T OVER 'TIL ITS OVER
We don't mean to be alarmist. Dorothy and her lawyers continue to feel very confident about her legal position. Her political position is very strong. She has virtually the entire country behind her. It is hard to imagine that the government would succeed in shutting down the Clinic once it opens again. Dorothy has received verbal promises from the Health Ministry, though not necessarily whole-hearted, that the clinic will be re-opened next Thursday, March 8th.

BUT IT WAS INTENSE INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE and scrutiny along with the stubborn resistance of Dorothy and her Nicaraguan supporters that got us this far. Clearly we must maintain this pressure and continue to encourage the government to do the right thing.

THE SUPREME COURT LISTENS TO OUTSIDE COMMENTS Nicaraguan courts are very political and susceptible to political pressure. Everyone in Nicaragua expects President Alemán to pressure the Court. The President of the Supreme Court, Dr. Josefina Ramos, has recused herself from this case, stating a conflict of interest. Dorothy's attorneys and human rights activists in Nicaragua are suggesting that the Court should hear from Dorothy's support network in the United States (see below under Suggested Actions).

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3) SUGGESTED ACTIONS:

FAX THE MINISTER OF HEALTH
Thank her for her cooperation in the re-opening of the clinic on March 8th. Tell her this will be the best way to improve the health services for thousands of women and children in Mulukukú. Wish her luck in meeting the many challenges of ensuring good health care for all the people of Nicaragua. Tell her you will be watching developments in Mulukukú with great interest and great hope, as they will point the way forward for better provision of health care to Nicaragua's rural poor. Please do it soon! We only have a few days before the critical days of Wednesday, March 7th and Thursday, March 8th.

FAX OR EMAIL MEMBERS OF THE SUPREME COURT
Our message to them should be twofold: first, we are satisfied with the decision of the Appeals Court; and second, we continue to follow the case with great interest. We hope that whatever pressures they may face, that they will follow their own true conscience and cast a vote which will strengthen the rule of law in Nicaragua.

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SEND AN INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY DONATION! How great that the Women's Clinic in Mulukukú will be opening on March 8, International Women's Day! It is a wonderful coincidence. Dorothy is so sure she will prevail in the Supreme Court and will also open the Clinic on March 8th that she is already worrying about other things, like how she will make up a large shortfall in the coming year's budget. The response to the requests for emergency funds has been most generous, as has the response to Dorothy's annual appeal. Dorothy asks that those of you who can, whether you have contributed before or not, please consider making a special donation to ensure the functioning of the clinic and all its life-giving, empowering programs.

· SEE BEAUTFUL COLOR PHOTOS OF THE CLINIC, THE STAFF, THE PATIENTS, THE PROGRAMS, AND MORE at www.peacehost.net/Dorothy/Mulukuku

Now that the Women's Clinic is about to re-open, we must shift our focus to making sure that it has the resources it needs to succeed, not just for Mulukukú but for all of Nicaragua. Please make checks out to St. Boniface Episcopal Church and mail them to the Women's Empowerment Network, 309 Cedar, PMB 547, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Write "International Women's Day" in the memo line of the check. Contributions are tax-deductible.

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4) CONTACT NUMBERS

MINISTER OF HEALTH
Licenciada Mariangeles Argüello, Ministra de Salud
Fax: 011-505-289-7671

SALA DE LO CONSTITUCIONAL (Supreme Court)

Dra. Josefina Ramos Mendoza, Presidenta
Dr. Julio Ramon Garcia Vilchez
Dr. Francisco Plata Lopez
Dr. Marvin Aguilar Garcia
Dr. Fernando Zelaya Rojas
Dr. Francisco Rosales Arguello
Dr. Guillermo Selva Arguello
Dr. Rafael Solis Cerda
Fax: 011-505-233-1884

Send emails to all members except Presidenta Ramos Mendoza:
c/o Dr. Ruben Montenegro Espinosa, Secretario,
Sala de lo Constitucional
rmontenegro@csj.gov.ni

Dra. Josefina Ramos Mendoza, Presidenta, Sala de lo Constitucional
josefina@ibw.com.ni

Please let us know of your progress and/or send us copies of your letters by email or fax.

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For Justice and Dignity,
Jill Winegardner and Gerry Condon

Friends of Dorothy Granada and the Women's Clinic in Mulukukú (Women's Empowerment Network)

Tel/fax: 831-768-7004
Jill Winegardner / Gerry Condon

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end of update of 3/3/01
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Subject: New Improved Contact Numbers
Date: Tue, 06 Mar 2001 20:37:45 -0800
From: Jill Winegardner and Gerry Condon

Subject: Mulukukú Clinic is Open for Business!
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 09:07:56 -0800
From: Jill Winegardner and Gerry Condon

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UPDATE AND ACTION ALERT
IN SUPPORT OF DOROTHY GRANADA
AND THE WOMEN'S CLINIC OF MULUKUKU

www.PeaceHost.net/Dorothy
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March 14, 2001

DEAR FRIENDS of Dorothy Granada and the Women's Clinic in Mulukukú,

THE WOMEN'S CLINIC IN MULUKUKÚ IS OPEN! The Women's Clinic re-opened its doors on Friday, March 9. This great achievement was won against great odds by a huge collective effort in Nicaragua, the U.S.and internationally. But the fight for social justice is won inch by inch. And the Nicaraguan government is making it clear they do not intend to make things easy for Dorothy Granada or the Maria Luisa Ortiz Clinic. Our continued support will be an important counterbalance to the hostile attitude and unhelpful actions of the government of President Arnoldo Alemán.

Below you will find our familiar format: 1) Update; 2) Analysis; 3) Suggested Actions; and 4) Contact Numbers.

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1) UPDATE:

CLINIC OPENS ON THE DAY AFTER INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY.
Dorothy Granada reports that the Maria Luisa Ortiz Clinic was re-opened on March 9. She writes, "Amid prayers, hugs and tears of gratitude we opened with about 200 patients waiting to be seen. We served 87, giving the others appointments and referring some to the MINSA Clinic. It was wonderful to be working again!"

Dorothy adds, "there are about 40 - 50 people who require urgent referrals for surgeries and consultations with specialists. However, the Regional Hospital in Matagalpa along with many other hospitals throughout the country is on strike and receives only emergencies. The strike, called by FETSALUD, is in protest of the prison sentences given five ophthalmologists on staff of the MINSA eye clinic in Managua. Nine patients were blinded as a result of pseudomonas infections following surgery for cataracts in the MINSA eye hospital. FETSALUD and the sentenced surgeons hold the Ministry of Health responsible for the inadequate sanitation in the government hospitals and operating rooms. Also, there are more than 100 cases against physicians in the courts and all the M.D.s that practice in poor conditions are fearful. We are very worried that this strike won't resolve quickly, leaving the poor without recourse to public hospitals except for emergencies. It is now more urgent than ever that we receive the operating/recovery room that the First Presbyterian Churches in Galveston and Houston have made possible."

She continues, "on the trip to Managua last Saturday, I had to take a young women to the Regional Hospital in Matagalpa for emergency surgery. I hated to leave her because the hospital was filthy, but we do not have the resources for private care. On the same day, I went to the MINSA Psychiatric Hospital in Managua to pick up an 18 yr. old psychotic girl who we had brought in two weeks earlier. Johanna was much improved. "I was sick but now my mind is good." Johanna's family has abandoned her but a family with a farm at the edge of town has taken her in and we in the clinic will monitor her health. The Psychiatric Hospital has a dedicated staff and, though the hospital suffers from lack of resources, our patients always get adequate care. We took cookies and bottles of fresh juice to express our thanks to the staff."

The opening of the Clinic followed a March 7 inspection by a team of Health Ministry inspectors led by Dr. Armando Parajon, who was responsible for closing the Women's Clinic without warning on December 12 of last year. Dorothy writes, "a team of four inspectors, two M.D.'s, an engineer and an architect, arrived at 9:00 a.m. and left at 3:30 p.m. They were very thorough, looking in every nook and cranny. We served them a lunch of gallo pinto, a hard-boiled egg, cuajada, tortilla, cabbage salad and a fresco of cacao while Dr. Parajon extolled the virtues of the health system of Anastacio Somoza. We have been promised their report this week."

THE HEALTH MINISTRY HAS PLACED THE WOMEN'S CLINIC ON PROBATION for three months and is placing requirements on the MLO Clinic which are unprecedented and expensive. These include adding a full-time physician, laboratory technician and pharmacist. Most of the recommendations are structural and electrical such as entirely new wiring and piped water in the clinic (water flows two hours a day when it comes). The health ministry (MINSA) admits that no other clinics in Nicaragua have ever been asked to meet these requirements. But MINSA claims this will be the standard policy from this time forward. It is estimated that it will cost the Women's Clinic in Mulukukú between $5,000 and $6,000 to meet these requirements.

Dorothy wonders, "IS THERE A CARPENTER/ELECTRICIAN OUT THERE WHO WOULD COME TO MULUKUKU AND HELP US? It's not the Club Med, but we do promise a bed with mosquito net and three meals a day."

MINSA DISCRIMINATES AGAINST WOMEN'S CLINIC PATIENTS. Even as the Health Ministry has agreed to the re-opening of the Women's Clinic it has also apparently decided to wage war against it. Aside from putting obstacles in the way of the smooth functioning of the Clinic, MINSA has taken measures to beef up the paltry resources of its health post in Mulukukú, while at the same time limiting access to patients who are receiving care from the Women's Clinic.

A RECENT LETTER FROM HEALTH MINISTER MARIÁNGELES ARGÜELLO, responding to religious leaders in the U.S. who have called for the MLO Clinic to be re-opened, made no mention whatsoever of the re-opening of the Clinic. Instead, in her letter of 2/22/01, Minister Argüello states that due to the closing of the Clinic, MINSA was bringing additional medical resources to its health post in Mulukukú. Specifically, she promised a doctor, two nurses, a nurse's aide, a pharmacy delivery person, a refrigerator for medications, radio communications, and emodeling of the health post "for better medical services."

Interestingly, the letter also promises to improve health services in the region by opening new health posts at Wanawás, San Andrés de Boboque y San José de Paiwas.

DOROTHY GRANADA REPORTS FROM MULUKUKÚ that most of the new health care resources promised by MINSA have yet to materialize and fit a pattern of broken promises. "It is true that there is one and sometimes two physicians in the MINSA Clinic. They do not have a sufficient amount of medicine, however. Example: a patient with a respiratory infection was given 4 capsules of Erythromycin. This is adequate for o nly one day of treatment. Many patients are still given only prescriptions which they can't fill for lack of money. The vehicle for transferring patients requires the patient to supply the fuel and pay for a driver. Even before we opened the Women's Clinic, we transferred six of the MINSA clinic patients who had no money for the MINSA vehicle. If it is known that a patient has received care from the Women's Clinic, that person is made to wait until all other patients receive attention.

When Grethel and I went to the MINSA clinic to inquire if one of our Nutrition Program patients needed anything after being run over by a vehicle, we were treated very rudely by the physicians. Later in the day, a 17 yr. old woman complained that she was sexually molested by one of the physicians as she was being examined for a cough. The complaint is being processed through the Women's Center Legal Office and Women's Commissary."

THE SUPREME COURT HAS YET TO RULE on the government's appeal of Dorothy's legal victory. It is mandated to rule within 60 days of an appeal being filed, but has been known to take much longer. The Supreme Court meets only on Wednesdays and its judges work in other courts on other days. The court is very political, as is this case. There are credible rumors that President Alemán and Internal Affairs Minister Marenco are "leaning" on the Court, still hoping to achieve their goal of deporting Dorothy Granada.

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2) ANALYSIS:

MINSA DOES NOT WANT THE WOMEN'S CLINIC TO SUCCEED. It seems that MINSA's limited cooperation with the re-opening of the Women's Clinic is grudging and possibly momentary, reflecting the continuing hostility of President Arnoldo Alemán. The conditions being placed upon the clinic are meant to impede its operation. The discrimination being practiced by the Mulukukú health post against patients of the Women's Clinic appears meant to discourage people from becoming patients of the Clinic.

Yet, considering the government's posture, it is remarkable that the Women's Clinic has been allowed to re-open at all. Once again, we must remind ourselves that the re-opening of the Clinic is the fruit of strong political pressure which in part was generated by the U.S.-based emergency response network. Defending the Clinic will require our ongoing support. We need to develop a sharp, short-term response to the mixed actions of MINSA as well as a long-term strategy to deal with what may well be a protracted struggle. We can also pray that the new government elected next November will be friendlier to human rights and women's health.

WE MUST REMEMBER THE SUPREME COURT'S imminent ruling on Dorothy's legal status. WE HAVE NEW AND DISTURBING INFORMATION FROM DOROTHY'S LAWYERS that if the court ecides in favor of the Government, it means immediate deportation. She will NOT get a hearing. If the court decides in favor of Dorothy, she will be legal until September when her visa expires. It is unlikely that the Government will re-new the visa.

Our network has understandably quieted down a bit, after several months of emergency response mode and our celebration of "Dorothy's victory." But Dorothy's enemies are probably whispering in one ear of the Supreme Court. The other ear needs to hear from her supporters.

MANY OF US ARE HESITANT TO LOBBY JUDGES for a particular legal outcome. But a case like this is not decided solely on an objective legal basis, not in ANY country. In Nicaragua, it is quite acceptable to send messages to judges, and in this case, it is essential that we do so. See below for appropriate content for your messages.

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3) SUGGESTED ACTIONS:

FAX THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES this week and every week until their decision is made. Remember that they meet and decide cases on Wednesdays. Our message to them should be twofold: first, we are satisfied with the decision of the Appeals Court; and second, we continue to follow the case with great interest. We hope that whatever pressures they may face, that they will follow their own true conscience and cast a vote which will strengthen the rule of law in Nicaragua.

Below you will find fax numbers for the Supreme Court judges. We have not been able to locate reliable email addresses for the Court.

LET MINSA KNOW WE ARE WATCHING. As soon as they sense otherwise, things could get even tougher on the Women's Clinic in Mulukukú. Express your pleasure at the re-opening of the Clinic. Express your concern about some of the unprecedented requirements being placed upon the Clinic which will make it more difficult for them to provide the services so needed by the women and children of Mulukukú. Below you will find fax and email numbers for Health Minister Argüello and other MINSA directors.

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4) CONTACT NUMBERS

LIST OF CONTACT NUMBERS FOR SUPREME COURT AND MINSA Supreme Court
Fax: 011-505-233-1884

But it is NOT a dedicated fax. Therefore, it will be answered by a person and only during office hours. When the person answers, you must tell them that you wish to send a fax. "Quisiera mandar un fax, por favor. [Kee-see-EH-rah mahn-DAHR oon "fax", pore fah-BORE] (I wish to send a fax, please.)" and if necessary, "Por favor dame un tono de fax." [Pore fah-BORE DAH-may oon TOE-no day "fax"] (Please give me a fax tone.)"

MINISTER OF HEALTH
Licenciada Mariangeles Argüello, Ministra de Salud
Fax: 011-505-289-7671

This is a dedicated fax number. It is working fine, and can be reached at all hours. We also now have two email numbers you may try for MINSA (the health ministry): vminsa@ibw.com.ni and dgce-dir@ops.org.ni

If you have the option to send a fax, this will probably have more impact. Incoming faxes require prompt attention and delivery, whereas email messages may be allowed to stack up and may or may not be noticed immediately. We suggest that you send faxes and then email messages. Or whatever makes sense for you. The main thing is to send a message and encourage others to do so.

And, as always. please let us know of your progress and/or send us copies of your letters by email or fax.

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For Justice and Dignity,
Jill Winegardner and Gerry Condon

Friends of Dorothy Granada and the Women's Clinic in Mulukukú (Women's Empowerment Network)

Tel/fax: 831-768-7004
Jill Winegardner / Gerry Condon

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end of update of 3/14/01
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