Space Eagle Productions

Haitian update Feb 23, '10 2:28 PM

Physicians and Nurses have developed an education seminar called, “Healthcare Providers: Prepare to Embark for Haiti.” It is the first in a series of nursing webinars to address healthcare issues in Haiti. A panel of returning physicians and nurses illuminated fellow cohorts in their recent endeavors regarding healthcare in Haiti. The nursing educational series is offered to any nurse regardless of the volunteer agency that they may belong to regarding volunteering in Haiti. A post test and nursing education certification is awarded upon completion of each topic. The educational seminar was pertinent to any nursing volunteer or healthcare provider.


Before the earthquake, Haitians were still recovering from three tropical storms before the hurricane in 2008. Upon immediate deployment of medical personnel it was known that months of health care would be needed in the aftermath of the disastrous earthquake. The aftermath of Haiti’s earthquake continues to skyrocket devastating diseases and numerous deaths. The current state of healthcare in Haiti is focused on follow-up care or “picking up the pieces.”


The rainy season is beginning in Haiti and with it dire complications to the already complicated environmental and healthcare risks. The rain will undoubtedly bring mosquitoes and water diseases. The once make shift hospitals are disappearing and now the people will be reliant upon public health aftercare. Immediately after the earthquake, hundreds of “ex-fixers” also known as external fixation devices were applied to broken bones in an attempt to immobilize and allow the fractures to heal. Many of the orthopedic surgeons are gone now and the people with them need them removed within eight to twelve weeks after application. The challenge has also been to keep these devices clean. As a nurse, I can tell you that pin care is a challenge to keep clean even in the most sterile of settings. There are numerous wounds now left to be cared for either with cleaning, debridement, and/or bandaging. Many have been left not understanding instructions or maybe with no instructions due to the immediacy of urgent health care response. There has also been the issue of limited supplies which can lead to increased infections. Prior to the earthquake, only 50% of Haitians had access to clean water.


Those returning nurses and physicians have voiced frustrations regarding the care they were able to deliver to the Haitians. In the United States, supplies are on demand and diagnostics test would be implemented. In Haiti, they are seeing illness and disease that we would never let get that far. During the struggle, many providers have learned that what is already done doesn’t matter and your focus has to be on what can be done now in this moment of need. In all of this remains the psychological and social issue due to the aftermath of the earthquake. Many healthcare providers return to the United States wishing that they could have stayed or done more for the people. Many of the Haitian people are still “walking around in a daze.” The providers speak of the “blank faces” that the children exhibited due to losing a parent or caretaker. There are victories. The major victories are when children are returned to orphanages or reunited with family.


Nursing education continues to be a priority for the people. The Haitian nurses want and are willing to work hard and learn. However, their education is not equivalent to an associate degreed nurse in the United States. When making a comparison, the physicians equated their training to only a little above a nursing assistant. They are continuing to learn from American Nurses and vice versa the American Nurse learns from them regarding language and cultural expectations.


Breastfeeding and nursing education regarding coping in the disaster for population based health care is needed. Only approximately 4% of Haitians breastfeed and the nurses are actively encouraging it for the health and welfare of the community as well as the infant. Considering the environment of most Haitians, they are most generous and grateful for healthcare services. Their whole plight is one political uprising after another or disaster. They continue to be a very caring and spiritual culture. According to return healthcare providers, the most surprising is the response of the Haitians when they are told that there is nothing we can do for them as healthcare providers. The response is “God Bless You.”


In regards to safety, previously healthcare providers worried there would be an uprising in time due to food and water limitations. These issues resolved when the port opened and the UN brought food in. The issue had been how the food was distributed, ie. Tossing water in crowds. One provider described it as an American would understand saying, “What would happen at Christmas time if you were in the middle of Toys R Us and someone tossed a tickle me Elmo?” Everyone was grateful for the Marines who came and organized the distribution. It is a third world country. Ultimately, it comes down to common sense! ~ cinna

source credited to webinar an returning healthcare providers