Page 18 - GP FALL 2010

GP: What was on the menu? what I had brought so that I would not be in short supply when
FM: Stewed peas, rice, and chicken. It was delicious. I began seeing patients.
GP: Please continue.
FM: I asked the administrator where I would be working. She That afternoon, we were given a tour of downtown Port-au-
offered me space under a large open hut (no walls or doors). I Prince where the devastation from the earthquake was most
was assigned a couple of local volunteers to help me with set evident. To date, the reality of how powerful nature’s forces
up, registration, and sterilization. We unpacked bags and orga- can be were apparent. We drove amongst buildings and struc-
nized ourselves for Monday. The set up would stay as is until tures that were ripped and torn apart. Some were tipped over
then. We were assured that there was 24-hour security at the so perilously, a stiff wind would easily bring them down.
hospital and that all we had to do was cover everything. We Government buildings and churches were not spared. The
blanketed the table with a huge tarp and I left knowing that I most difficult part to observe was the numerous tent cities that
would be ready to go come Monday morning. had sprung up in and around the capital. As we understood it,
the people needed help and in their minds what better place to
set up a tent than around a government building no matter how
On Sunday, Dr. Paul, the pediatrician, and I set out to see
where we would be working at the government run hospital in destroyed it was?
Petionville. I was hopeful because I was told that the hospital
was a three-story building and had a dental clinic. Upon our GP: How was the working environment?
arrival, we were graciously met by the hospital’s medical FM: At the AIMER-HAITI Hospital, I was basically treating
director, Dr. Fantale, who gave us a tour of the facility. The patients in a large outdoor hut. It was very windy and it rained
pediatrician consulted an in-house patient (an infant being every day (No, the hut did not leak!). I treated patients who
treated for malnutrition). The director of our mission, Dr. were seated in a metal folding chair –I was standing, hunched
over them. Yes, I worked like this all day! There were no x-

The Palais Nacional and most government buildings in downtown Port-au- Overcrowding in the capital.
Prince were destroyed.
rays and I had problems ordering the
Paul, consulted another patient whose
problem was jaundice of unknown ori- reservoir for the Cavitron while in
gin. After the appropriate tests were Haiti. I was told the reservoir would
ordered (and generously paid for by arrive in approximately 3 weeks but
him), we went back downstairs to take that would have come after I was
a look at the dental clinic which is gone.
staffed by one dentist. Unfortunately,
the clinic was locked and the medical At Eliazare Germain Hospital, I was
director did not have the key. As it really looking forward to the luxury of
was Sunday, the appropriate staff was a dental chair and a professionally
not there to make the clinic accessible trained dental assistant. But unfortu-
to us. Since the attending dentist was nately, the dental unit was inoperable
off on Wednesdays, I promised the so mostly extractions were done there
medical director I would return that as well.
day to donate my services. I was
assured that there was a dental unit and GP: Sounds like the conditions were
a chair in the clinic. Not knowing how pretty harsh. Please describe your
well equipped it was, I made a mental days at the mission – how many
note to pack as much as I could with Treating a patient at the AIMER-HAITI Hospital. patients did you see and what type of
procedures were you able to perform?

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