Patients with Havana Syndrome were reportedly promised healthcare that never came

A leaked letter purportedly written by a senior US military official and published on social media on Monday, major contradictions were highlighted in the government’s approach to the victims of Havana Syndrome – a mysterious series of health incidents involving staff from embassies and consulates abroad.

The letter, dated March 24, 2024 and signed by Air Force Brigadier General Shannon O’Harren, reassures victims of the “abnormal health incidents” (AHIs) that the Department of Defense believed their experiences and symptoms were real, while providing them with quality care was promised that would never happen. came.

It was posted to treated and trivialized. of European countries.

Those affected suffered from headaches, dizziness and cognitive problems, sometimes accompanied by unusual sensory experiences.

“We believe your experiences are real, and we are unwaveringly committed to continuing to provide quality care to you and those who qualify,” wrote O’Harren, assigned to the Defense Department’s cross-functional AHI team.

“Rest assured, we are continuing our efforts… to investigate the cause of AHIs, to thoroughly investigate reports and investigations, and to care and treat you with respect and compassion throughout this process.”

O’Harren reportedly wrote the letter, addressed to “Dear Colleagues,” in response to two National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies published in March that found the victims showed no observable physical damage or change.

In addition, intelligence agencies determined that no foreign adversary was likely involved – and distanced themselves from reports linking the incidents to portable microwave weapons developed by Russia and China.

The Senate report found that the “quality assurance” promised by O’Harren had not happened. Nearly 100 CIA affiliates who reported symptoms experienced “delayed, denied or pre-conditioned care” and had difficulty accessing benefits, the report said.

Overall, the report concluded that the CIA’s response to the incidents, reports of which originated in Havana in 2016 and quickly spread to U.S. diplomatic facilities in numerous other countries, were flawed and inconsistent.

More than 1,500 episodes of Havana syndrome have been reported worldwide, but victims who sought treatment or other help were routinely turned away or had their claims challenged. CIA employee applications for workers’ compensation were approved at a rate of 21%, compared with 67% for other departments that did not contest claims as aggressively, the report said.

The Guardian has been unable to independently verify the authenticity of the O’Harren letter, and the Defense Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Herridge, a veteran freelance investigative journalist previously employed by Fox News and CBS News, did not reveal how she obtained the letter.

A separate post from Herridge on Monday featured an interview with a former intelligence officer who described suffering career injuries and accused the government of ‘gaslighting’ the American public about the Havana syndrome.