A Clinic for Those who Lost Limbs in the Quake
On January 7, 2011 the Aristide Foundation organized a clinic for 400 people who were injured or lost limbs as a result of the earthquake. Over 5,000 people are estimated to have lost a limb as a result of injuries sustained during the earthquake. The group gathered in the auditorium of the Aristide Foundation on the morning of the 7th. Each person then received a consultation with a doctor. Four orthopedists, two surgeons, and 15 general medical doctors (most of whom are former UniFA students, trained in Cuba) offered their services for the day.
After the consultation, crutches, wheel chairs, walker and canes for the elderly, were distributed free of charge to those in need of them. Most of the equipment we distributed came from a gift facilitated by Haiti Emergency Relief Fund, we thank them for enabling us to some help to those in need.
This event was the first in a series of events planned this week to mark the anniversary of the quake through service to the survivors.
AFD Clinincs Treat Over 1,000 People Each Week
Every Wednesday morning in the auditorium of the Aristide Foundation for Democracy in Tabarre, Haiti, over a 1000 people receive free primary care treatment. Almost all of the people coming to the Foundation for care are living in temporary settlements in the area.
The clinics have become a weekly gwo konbit medical – with 40 or more doctors, dozens of volunteers and health workers and pharmacists, working together to make sure that everyone who comes sees a doctor and receives the medicine they need.
Services offered include: general medical care, as well as pediatric, eye, dental, gynecological, orthopedic and psychological care. The Haitian Ministry of Health (MSPP) sends health monitors to carry out vaccinations for all those who want them. Canned milk is distributed to all pregnant women and mothers of young children.
The most commonly observed health problems are malnutrition, diarrhea in children, respiratory ailments, urinary tract infections, intestinal parasites, and untreated high blood pressure. The vast majority of those attending the clinics are living in temporary settlements (tent cities) across the metropolitan area. Many of the health problems they face are a direct result of the conditions in the camps, which have little or no sanitation and limited water. And it is now raining nearly every night.
Free Medical Clinics at the Aristide Foundation
Dr. Frantz Large providing eye exams on March 10
On March 10 and March 17 the AFD organized the first two in a series of large medical clinics to be held inside the auditorium of the Foundation. We called on the services of volunteers and doctors attached to the Foundation, notably the large team of young doctors who trained at UniFA (the University of the Aristide Foundation).
AFD Medical Team
On March 10 an AFD medical team of 52 doctors consulted 650 patients.
On March 17, 60 doctors saw a total of 1169 patients.
On both days services included: general medical care, as well as pediatric, eye, dental, gynecological, orthopedic and psychological care. The Haitian Ministry of Health (MSPP) sent health monitors to carry out vaccinations for all those who wanted them. The most commonly observed health problems observed were malnutrition, diarrhea in children, respiratory ailments, intestinal parasites, and untreated high blood pressure.
A volunteer opthamologist saw 152 patients on March 17, many of them people over 40, needing reading glasses. Access to eye care was extremely limited in Haiti even previous to the quake — right now there is the additional critical need to assist all the people who lost their glasses along with all their other possessions in the quake. The AFD was able to distribute reading glasses free of charge. Three dentists provided dental care to dozens of patients — 49 patients alone on March 17. We also distributed canned milk to all patients who are mothers of young children.
Two volunteer pyschologists were on hand at each clinic to work with people exhibiting symptoms of PTSD. They provided group counseling sessions to offer guidance and support for dealing with post traumatic stress.
These clinics are similar to the mobile clinics that the AFD has been participating in with Partner in Health. Now that the population has grown more comfortable being inside buildings we decided to put the huge space of the auditorium to use for these clinics and to offer additional services (dental, eye, and gynocological care). These weekly clinic will be ongoing for the next few months.
We would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, pharmacists and others who are giving their time to staff the clinics. A special thank yous to Dr. Maxon Guerrier for donating not only his time but medical supplies, Dr. Frantz Large for his time and for donating the glasses which we are distributing to patients. We thank the Haitian Ministry of Health for sending health workers to carry out vaccinations, and Partners in Health for donating medical supplies. Finally a huge thanks to the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund for agreeing to provide financial support for this project over the next three months.
Medicine were provided free of charge
AFD Clinic March 10, 2010
