Last night, at the center where we are staying an exhibit was shown called "People in the Camp Hospital in Auschwitz." The exhibit tells the story of the camp hospital, block 28 of Auschwitz I. Stories of the people who lived in the block as patients or prisoners, and even hospital staff is outlined in this exhibit.
Block 28 was the main hospital block of Auschwitz I, and was preserved from the beginning to the end of the camp. To the patients, block 28 was called Krankenbau and reported here for admission. The 'Out Patients' department made the decisions as to whether the prisoners would receive admission into the hospital or what usually occurred, was only emergency assistance.
"Sztuba 7", a room located on the ground floor of Block 28 was where the newly arrived patients were placed. There the prisoner doctors specializing in laryngologist and radiologist saw the patients. There were also separate 'massage' rooms, analytical laboratory, herbal pharmacy, a small surgical room which served as a discussion room and even a dietary kitchen. On the first floor there was an 'internal ward' and rooms for staff block prisoners. This block was arranged perfectly- just as it should be in hospitals, which saves a human life.
As we walked through the exhibit we were asked to remember two questions: whether the hospital at Auschwitz was such a place? And Were they giving help to everyone in need of it?
After walking around and looking at the pictures and reading the stories, I would say that the hospital at Auschwitz was definitely not used to its full potential to help people. People were sent there to try to be cured, but the Germans did not care if they came out alive or dead. As stated in a story, " The term Krankenbau ( infirmary) was not used in German medical service. No wonder, since it was difficult to understand why they would build a "hospital" for slaves intentionally exterminated through hunger, hard labor, and beatings. The purpose of the Krankenbau came to light gradually, and was always connected to the criminal activity of the camp commandant's office." - Wladyslaw Fejkiel
The way the Germans treated the patients were horrific and no one should have ever had to go through this type of torture. I know these patients stories will live with me forever and I will continue to tell them so that these innocent people can be remembered.
Block 28 was the main hospital block of Auschwitz I, and was preserved from the beginning to the end of the camp. To the patients, block 28 was called Krankenbau and reported here for admission. The 'Out Patients' department made the decisions as to whether the prisoners would receive admission into the hospital or what usually occurred, was only emergency assistance.
"Sztuba 7", a room located on the ground floor of Block 28 was where the newly arrived patients were placed. There the prisoner doctors specializing in laryngologist and radiologist saw the patients. There were also separate 'massage' rooms, analytical laboratory, herbal pharmacy, a small surgical room which served as a discussion room and even a dietary kitchen. On the first floor there was an 'internal ward' and rooms for staff block prisoners. This block was arranged perfectly- just as it should be in hospitals, which saves a human life.
As we walked through the exhibit we were asked to remember two questions: whether the hospital at Auschwitz was such a place? And Were they giving help to everyone in need of it?
After walking around and looking at the pictures and reading the stories, I would say that the hospital at Auschwitz was definitely not used to its full potential to help people. People were sent there to try to be cured, but the Germans did not care if they came out alive or dead. As stated in a story, " The term Krankenbau ( infirmary) was not used in German medical service. No wonder, since it was difficult to understand why they would build a "hospital" for slaves intentionally exterminated through hunger, hard labor, and beatings. The purpose of the Krankenbau came to light gradually, and was always connected to the criminal activity of the camp commandant's office." - Wladyslaw Fejkiel
The way the Germans treated the patients were horrific and no one should have ever had to go through this type of torture. I know these patients stories will live with me forever and I will continue to tell them so that these innocent people can be remembered.
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