It was a great joy to have our first medical, dental and Physical therapy trip be able to use the building. Even though it is not finished it has walls, rooms and a roof.

We were able to set up a reception area to introduce people to the medical insurance program that we are starting. We will have medical sponsorship. They will be $15 US dollars a month with the Haitians in the program contributing the equivalent of 25 cents. It will include an annual physical with lab tests for everyone in the family. With a dental check up and eye exam. It will also include sick visits with medicine excluding treatment for Aids, TB or cancer. We will refer Aids and TB out to area clinics that provide free treatment and we will monitor the medications. Cancer is not really treated in Haiti at this point so we can't refer it out.

After the introduction they received a large plastic envelope with their name so they could store any info from clinics they might visit so we could have a record.

Next they went in for medical assessments with the RN's and the Haitian nurses. One two year old downs child with a hole in his heart came to the clinic. I was able to call Dr. Serena ( past president of the Rotary club) and if the boy qualifies he will work to get free care with the help of Rotary.

We currently have two Haitian nurses who do house visits and we are looking for a Haitian doctor to work part time in the clinic. They will be assisted by US teams. In April several nurse practitioners will come to run a two day clinic for us.

The dental clinic in operation.
Click here to enlarge.

They then traveled to the dental room. We didn't have electricity or water, our dental hygienist worked all day, everyday, and saw 170 patients. We turned many away on the last day. She did an amazing job and treated each person individually and each one left with a smile and a self esteem boost. She said the people who had been in our tooth brushing program had much better gums and teeth than those who had not. We can't wait for the next few years to see kids coming up with all their teeth and no cavities.

The physical therapy room has patients.
Click here to enlarge.

The physical therapist worked with stroke patients, handicapped children and people with broken bones.

The clinic was such a positive experience. The walls and floor will be finished soon . But the best is yet to come, once the building is secure with doors and windows we can have a good lab and pharmacy.

A happy child leaving with her cup, toothbrush, toothpaste, and mirror.

itsislandtime > Some Facts and Links > PID Haiti Project Report > The clinic is put to work