Red Cross Center, Stockholm
My presentation is based on a special case and some overhead pictures.
Health services for tortured patients have been offered in Stockholm by RCC for tortured refugees since 1985. Awareness of the need for understanding the health situation of tortured refugees and their families has grown in Sweden in recent years. Extremely traumatized tortured persons who often suffer of total health collaps have come to Stockholm in increasing numbers in the 80s/90s.
The first visible group of tortured people was the Chilean refugees after the military coup of 1973. It was then many capable professionals of health care often felt somehow inadequate when working with them and the idea of special centers with adequate treatment models was formed.
Nobody can rehabilitate another person. One can only give support, offer services and help in the persons´own rehabilitation attempts. Rehabilitation is a process, often long, involving a network of interpersonnel interaction and different steps aiming to restore the dignity of the tortured person and reconstruct the life dream. Patients´ own motivation is of course crucial. But what to do when the motivation and own will are diminished or totally abolished by torture? It is a challenge, indeed.
In our study where ten women were included, all had difficulty thinking about themselves and what might be good for them. Our initial question was: Is there anything, you would like to do or participate in that could make you feel better after a year? It is essential to find out what the life dream is. We had a special mix of services to offer, such as 1) different kinds of medical and dental investigations, 2) physiotherapist, 3) psychotherapist, 4) family therapist, 5) possibility to neuropsychological tests, 6) labour market advice and job training etc. There were also possibilities to fulfill some special dreams, not only material ones. Trials to find a way to spirituality – the way to miracles, were suggested, too. We have spent 2,500 US$ per patient during one year.
The follow-up studies by an out-side researcher were completed in 9 cases of 10. (One patient died of mammar cancer that was found during the study.) Written questionnaires, deep dialogues, life quality measuring methods and scales were used. The results were very good, indeed and we hope that the knowledge obtained can help all our patients and even other tortured persons everywhere.
Because I am an economist, too, I dare to say that nothing is more expensive to a society and national economy than hurt, humiliated people.
About the author
Nationality: Finnish
Date of birth: 12th August, 1944
Children: Idah 21, musician and Bill 13, school-boy
Educational Background:
- B.Sc.Econ. and B.A. 1967 and M.Sc. Econ. and B.A. 1968 Helsinki School of Economics
- Post Graduation Certificate in Economics 1974 University of S.Paulo, Brazil
- University Medical Degree 1983, Medical Faculty of Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
- Specialist in General Medicine 1992
- Specialist in Occupational Health 1997
- Specialist in Psychiatry 1999
Professional Background:
- Project Economist, Market Researcher and Consular Attaché Commercial in Brazil 1969-76.
- Hospital Assistant, Serafimerlasarettet, Stockholm 1976-79
- Physician and Health Economist within Stockholm County Council 1982-94
- Physician at Red Cross Center in Stockholm since 1992
- Medical Officer (part-time) at Swedish Social Insurance Office since 1995
