2010-05-14
AMDA Emergency Bulletin XII: Haiti Emergency Relief

 

To complement the earlier emergency medical treatments given to the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti in January, two doctors from AMDA Bolivia flew to Gonaives on May 5th.

Four months have passed since the occurrence of the catastrophe, yet many of the patients were still left with bolts and external orthopedic devices attached. AMDA's Bolivian doctors (one orthopedist and one anesthesist) replaced the devices and applied casts on patients for aftercare.

At Hospital Du Selourt, orthopedists were constantly in demand due to lack of medical manpower.
Surgeries were going rather stagnantly as there weren't enough clinical laboratory technicians and it took extra time as a number of HIV carriers were there among the patients.  Clinical records were not maintained very well hence it was almost relied on the doctor's judgment in giving appropriate aftercare.

From May 5th to 12th, AMDA doctors handled 14 surgeries (including three severe cases), took care of 26 rehab patients and diagnosed 46 patients other than noted.

The two doctors completed their work and left Gonaives on May 12th.

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