PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI NOV. 6-13, 2010
We arrived in PAP on Sat morning, our flight delayed by the after effects of Hurricane Tomas. The airport remained broken, but had improved since our last trip in April. This trip Jeanne and I were to work with Project Medishare, run through the University of Miami. They have moved out of the tents near the airport, which were set up after the earthquake, and now are a functioning Trauma Center in the city.
My mind flashed back to January when we arrived immediately after the earthquake. The chaos was gone, the rubble cleared from many of the streets, but buildings still stood in ruin, tents made of tarp filled all open spaces, and people with sad acceptance of their fate stared out from makeshift homes, trying to survive as they again and again are struck down.
This time, this trip, the desperation of winter and spring had calmed-but a new disaster has fallen upon these people. The insidious spread of Cholera, not seen for half a century, is spreading its tentacles throughout this country, rapidly taking life after life if treatment is not quickly found.
We were privileged to work beside people from all over the United States and Canada on this trip, where we all joined together to do what we could to help those who have such desperate need. We experienced patients with incredible illness, and saw loss of such innocent life. A 10 year old girl lost her life to diphtheria, a preventable illness if the vaccination is present. A 25 year old mother lost her life to TB, leaving behind a family of young children. A five month old baby died of malnutrition, a young woman of heart failure. Injuries were seen not unlike here, but without the technology of our world, leaving care to be done as possible. Yet in the despair there was also hope, and healing.
A diagnosis of appendicitis was made on a young man in the cholera tent, and he was able to have surgery and return home the next day. A nine day old baby was operated on, and his sepsis improved. Countless patients who came unable to walk due to the effects of cholera were able to receive hydration, and healing, and return home. Trauma patients were treated and released, and hundreds of other patients received care.
Story after story, each with its own pain and suffering. Yet even in the midst of this, these people have an incredible strength and an unwavering faith, which carries them through these times. It is up to us, who have been given so much, to respond to their need, and their pain, and help in any way that we are able.
And so we return to the mountains of Mombin Crochu, Haiti, to work at the hospital in the village, in January.
Sylvia Campbell, MD
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