taliban Hostages Vulnerable to Post Traumatic Stress Disorders
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
After the recent release of the two Korean female hostages, Kim Gyeong-ja, 37, and Kim Ji-na, 32, concern is growing over their physical and mental health.
The government has reported that a medical checkup showed they are in stable condition and their health improved after arriving at the Dongui Medical Unit, a Korean military unit in the U.S. Bagram Air Base, 60 kilometers north of Kabul in Afghanistan.
But as they went through the hardest 26 days in their lives at the hand of the Taliban militia, experts say they are vulnerable to post traumatic problems, even after they safely return to their families.
``They would be physically weak now due to a long abduction without proper care and food,’’ said Namkoong Kee, a professor of psychiatry at Severance Hospital in Sinchon, Seoul. ``They could be infected with endemic diseases or suffer from dysentery or diarrhea.’’
The symptoms may vary and thorough medical checkups and examinations are required to gain a more accurate diagnosis, but the major concern is their mental health, he said.
``They could show similar symptoms of survivors from a big accident or war, namely post traumatic stress disorders. During the abduction, they were under extreme stress and they could suffer from guiltiness and feel sorry for other hostages,’’ he said.
They will have nightmares in the mixed feelings of confusion, regrets, illusion and guiltiness, the psychiatrist said.
For proper medical treatment, the two will be hospitalized immediately after reuniting with their families. They are expected to arrive in Seoul Thursday through the same route as the remains of the late pastor Bae Hyung-kyu and Shim Sung-min.
The families of the two female volunteer workers already have applied for their hospitalization at Severance Hospital in Sinchon, Seoul.
The medical facility avoided official confirmation of the report ?as the final decision will be made after the former hostages return.
``If they come to our hospital, we will take care to protect them from public interest and rebuke, which may worsen their symptoms,’’ Namkoong said. ``As they are patients, people should first consider their recovery, not their mistakes.’’