Medical Team Helps Hundreds in Haiti
By the Haiti Medical Team
When our medical team arrived in Haiti in February, we had a difficult time getting through customs with 14 suitcases of medication. Officials checked expiration dates on the medications and asked many questions about what we were doing and what documentation we had. Fortunately, we were able to get through with everything we brought.
Friday morning, we had our first clinic at Payen. We saw about 150 patients who had a variety of complaints. They had interesting ways of describing their ailments, and it was often challenging to interpret their symptoms.
Saturday morning, we traveled by truck, boat, and foot to the clinic at LaRaquint. The medication suitcases were carried by motorcycle and mule. We saw about 140 patients at this clinic; lots of children with fungal skin infections received donated anti-fungal creams.
We saw about 780 patients in five days of clinic. Sunday afternoon we traveled four hours to Gilbert to be ready for clinic Monday morning. As we neared the church in Gilbert, children came from everywhere and ran after our truck. They were so excited to see us! After unloading our supplies and having dinner at the pastor’s home, we had an evening church service with the congregation. The church was packed with standing room only and it was a wonderful time of singing, praying, clapping, drumming, and dancing in the aisles. Pastor Mark brought the message on true forgiveness. As the church service went on, people came in carrying banana mats. We wondered if they were bringing them for us or if they were staying the night with us.
After church we learned the banana mats were for us, but lots of people were sleeping over in order to be first at clinic the next morning. We all spread out on the floor in the church, our team as well as about 30 Haitians. The night involved very little sleep, with the sick children coughing, people snoring, shining flashlights, slamming metal doors, children giggling, people conversing, the blowing wind storm, and a very cold night. Needless to say, we were up early and started clinic at 6:40 a.m.
Wednesday and Thursday we had successful clinics at Delonye and Tapion. Preparing to depart, we packed medicines for next year. We had a very productive and positive week. We all feel very blessed.
Several members of the medical team see patients in Haiti. Courtesy of authors.