What have you really done for the Retired Military and Veterans that defended our country?
The facts: 2.6 million retired military, and veterans are under fire and account for more "daily dead", than Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan combined. Yet, nobody asks, no cameras arrive, and no nation mourns our loss. Approximately, 26 million men and women have cycled through the military basic training camps. All of these inductees are required to undergo the Naval or Department of Defense (DoD) medical procedures. Most of the time, these procedures include vaccinations given with a multi use jet injector (MUNJI). In 1999, the Department of Defense (DoD), withdrew use of all but one type of MUNJI. The DoD said the manufacturer discontinued production, anticipating liability due to the potential cross-contamination of blood borne pathogens. These events followed on the heals of the World Health Organization warning, alerting countries to the dangers MUNJIs could pose, with the potential to transmit infection every 1 in 7 inoculations. Nevertheless, the Navy and DoD believes the risk is worth the time saved, and began the practice again soon after the withdrawal. MUNJI use continues today despite the fact that in 2005, the Food and Drug Administration ban their use unless the device can demonstrated not to transmit blood. Gary A. Roselle, M. D. Program Director for Infectious Diseases, Veterans Health Administration (VHA), testified before the House of Representatives, "One in 10 Vets have Hepatitis C (HCV)- 10 percent in the VHA system tested positive for HCV. Roselle continues; "retired military and veterans serving during Vietnam accounted for more than 60 percent of those with positive test results."
Statistics show the VA has identified 300,000 patients in its system. However, it has done very little to notify the remaining 2,370,000, undiagnosed vets. This is why, each hour of every day, three people die from HCV or its related conditions, two of these people have a military background. That is 2 x 24 = 48 per day x 365 = 17,520 per year.
The VA's HCV test and treatment is free to vets. However, this program remains unadvertised despite the fact, if diagnosed in time, a simple change in diet and lifestyle can save lives.
This warning should be "screamed" from the rooftops.
Where are the reporters?
Every person in the media should contemplate their silent participation in allowing these American soldiers to needlessly die without warning. http://www.hcvets.com
I have lived most of my life under the impression that reporters accepted truth as authority rather than authority as truth.
Impress me.
Paul Conklin
Salisbury, NC
HC-Veteran