Tribute to doctors killed in Afghan massacre

Monday August 9th, 2010

Tributes were yesterday for Dr Karen Woo, aged 36, a British doctor killed in a massacre of medical workers in Afghanistan.

Dozens of people posted tributes yesterday on the blog Dr Woo started when she travelled to Afghanistan last December.

At the time Dr Woo, a surgeon, was working with a Christian relief organisation, International Assistance Mission, and travelling in convoy. Some ten people were killed including expedition leader, US-based ophthalmologist Dr Tom Little.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, accusing the doctors of being "missionaries". However investigators also suspect armed robbery may have been a motive.

But yesterday a statement from the Dr Woo's family said: "Her motivation was purely humanitarian. She was a humanist and had no religious or political agenda.

"Her commitment was to make whatever difference she could. She was a true hero, whilst scared, she never let that prevent her from doing things she had to do."

Dr Woo had been an associate medical director of Bupa but gave up her job to work in the troubled country. Along with other young professionals, she had set up an organisation called Bridge Afghanistan.

The organisation had set out some details of the expedition to Nuristan in the north of the country in an entry thought to have been posted by Dr Woo. She stated: "The expedition will require a lot of physical and mental resolve and will not be without risk but ultimately, I believe that the provision of medical treatment is of fundamental importance and that the effort is worth it in order to assist those that need it most."

Early entries in Dr Woo's personal blog revealed little sympathy for the Taliban.

One early entry entry was headed: "Why don't the insurgents just f.. off and stop being so selfish?"

Tags: Asia | General Health

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