I'm going back to Haiti for a week as part of a team of Biomedical Engineers/Technicians to assess the equipment situation at 4+ hospitals and do as many fixes as we can sight-unseen. Well, sight-mostly-unseen except for some photos. It's incredibly exciting, intimidating, thrilling, and overwhelming. My approach at this point is to be as prepared as possible without sacrificing rest beforehand, do the most thorough job possible while we're there, and write a kick-butt report when we return. Hopefully it will be an impactful project, and not just some disaster-tourists out for a joyride.
In the past I've tried not to drop names of organizations in my blog, but I was told to on this trip... and it makes sense. The more publicity and awareness there is of our cause and related ones, the more we'll be able to affect change. So here it goes:
I'm traveling with Engineering World Health (EWH), based out of Durham, North Carolina. This is the same organization I traveled with in Tanzania. But no, this is not a 2 month stint involving swahili lessons. And since an English-Haitian Kreyol dictionary is not possible to find last minute (as I learned this afternoon), I'll be relying on my French and incredible non-verbal communication skills. Fortunately or unfortunately, my stomach usually lets people know when I'm hungry. I'm hoping that will work in the positive next week.
EWH is not initiating this project all alone. AmeriCares has asked us to partner in this (potentially) multi-phase project to improve the state of medical equipment in and around Port-au-Prince. They may be addressing other needs too, but I don't know about them. Do your own research.
Since this trip has been pieced together so last minute, you'll learn more details as we go. I'm really enjoying the challenge of getting to think through the whole process to make our work effective. This is in contrast to being a student with a set packing list, scheduled itinerary, and pre-established connections. Next week in Port-au-Prince all the preparation will have been things that our team has thought of, designed, and intentioned. It's exciting to use the knowledge I've been learning over the past year while compiling guidelines of how to donate medical equipment effectively. Now it's time for the practical exam.
To give you an idea of the preparations -
- Spent this morning distributing travel insurance cards I bought yesterday
- We compiled and refined a list of pertinent questions to ask the hospitals. For instance, we can get their wish list, which might include an ultrasound. But we've got to ask if they have a doctor trained to use it AND if there's even electricity to make the ultrasound turn on.
- Found a connection with a Clinical Engineer from the University of Arkansas who has been given donations by Siemens, Drager, and others... talked about how we could help him identify appropriate recipients.
- Looked for the non-existent English-Haitian Kreyol phrasebook (and the even more impossible medical phrase book)
- Bought silicone sealant to fix a leaky autoclave. Picked up WD-40 and superglue as impulse buys. I'm guessing they'll be useful.
Photo: From my first visit to Haiti. This is the sign we put on a half-fixed autoclave. The next day I found it on my bag. "Dange: Pa touche wap mouri." "Danger, don't touch. You'll die."
Oh, and before I forget, the views expressed in this blog are solely the personal views of the author. Unless of course I'm quoting or misquoting someone else.
Good luck!
ReplyDeleteNot that this is helpful NOW, but if you're planning return trips. . .the Kansas University website is the best place for Kreyol books. The small orange dictionary you borrowed last time was found on Amazon, which also has a good selection.
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