Update on Haiti

March 11, 2010

MFH Program Director Betty Scanlon, RSM just returned from nearly two weeks in Haiti. She led a 7-person medical team (a surgeon, one internist, two registered nurses, two pediatric practitioners, and a logistician), and set up a temporary clinic outside of Hospice St. Joseph (HSJ) in Christ Roi. With the support of Max Delices, HSJ Exectuive Director, and buoyed by the presence of the American medical team, the Hospice staff returned to work. The medical team also received the support of community volunteers who provided "triage" services, particularly in the area of translation between Creole and English so that patients and doctors could communicate accurately.

The team averaged between 80 and 100 patient visits a day. These patient visits also provided an opportunity to gain an updated assessment of the health conditions and needs of the community at large. The most common and severe issues are malnutrition/starvation, upper respiratory infections, and post-traumatic stress. Betty tells the stories of young mothers who had abandoned breast-feeding their infants due to disorientation or depression.

Most people are still experiencing post-earthquake shock and emotional disorders. Many of those who do have access to shelter are unable to sleep inside buildings for fear of more aftershocks or another quake. A 4.7 aftershock (strong enough to be technically considered an earthquake) occurred during Betty's visit. She shares, "the overarching, helpless feeling that followed was practically overwhelming, and for many, almost unbearable."

Sadly, the situation is anticipated to worsen over the next six months. Psychiatric doctors are forecasting the cycle of depression and stress to peak in November. Rainy weather is bringing the onset of mosquitoes and worsening sanitation conditions. Dengue fever and malaria are particular threats given the wet conditions.

There are still many areas without easy access to food and aid. Most is being provided by agencies in the city center and near hospitals. Those living in the outskirts, unwilling to abandon their collapsed homes, must travel distances for food and assistance. Many times, they end up waiting in long lines to receive only a half dozen high protein nutrition bars. Families are subsisting on a single meal of rice and beans each day. Water is trucked in and families bring 5-gallon containers to fill from one of three spigots. The water must last until the truck's next visit.

Betty tells us that leaving people behind was very difficult. Our Haitian project coordinator, Murphy Souverain, is living in a tent, having lost everything in the earthquake. Betty finished by saying, "The challenges are huge and pervasive, but we are resolved to make sure that all of the resources that we can bring to bear are done so in the best way at the community level and hand in hand with our Haitian colleagues and friends. We are committed to our partners and the people of Haiti for the long haul."


About MFH Projects in Haiti:

Medicines for Humanity (MFH) has been working in Port-Au-Prince since 2002. We collaborate with the Daughters of Charity to improve healthcare in Cite Soleil. For the last three years, MFH has managed the Hospice St. Joseph Maternal Child Health Clinic to improve healthcare for the women and children in the community of Christ Roi. In the last year, we have been collaborating with Madame Paula Thybulle at Foyer des Filles de Dieu and Notre Dame Clinic providing needed primary care for children and pregnant women. Cite Soleil, Notre Dame, and Christ Roi are impoverished communities of Port-Au-Prince, and each of these communities has been hit very hard by the earthquake.


If you have not done so and wish to make a gift, please go to our website and click on "How You Can Help". Simply note on the PayPal form that the gift is for Haiti Relief. You can also donate by calling Danielle Gagnon (781-982-0274) at the MFH office, or by sending a check.