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6 Months After Haiti Earthquake, Medical Teams International Remains Committed

12 Jul 2010 16:26

Emphasis on Trauma Counseling and Prosthetics

(PORTLAND, Ore., July 12, 2010)— Six months after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Medical Teams International remains committed to working toward recovery. Targeting their efforts on trauma counseling and prosthetics, Medical Teams International will help those who have been left physically and emotionally disabled by the earthquake.

“The situation really hasn't changed much,” said Bas Vanderzalm, president of Medical Teams International. Vanderzalm is currently in Haiti and said “the people in those camps are still struggling."

Rehabilitation and Prosthetics - Dr. June Hanks will manage rehabilitation and prosthetics work called “the Advantage Program” in Les Cayes, where more than 88,000 Haitians have moved from Port-au-Prince.

For the next two years, Advantage Program staff will:

Provide Haitian-made prosthetics, equipment, rehabilitation and emotional support to people with disabilities.
Conduct seminars and training sessions with community leaders, teachers and pastors to help raise awareness and increase support for the disabled communities.
Improve the quality of life of people with disabilities at the community and government levels.

Locally-Based Staff - To help transition from relief to recovery, Medical Teams International has established a presence in Haiti. This team of Haitian and non-Haitian staff continues to funnel lifesaving care and long-term help to families in Haiti.

Six-Month Impact - In the past six months, Medical Teams International sent 18 volunteer teams - the first one arriving only three days after the disaster. In total, 109 doctors, nurses and other health professionals have been sent to work in Port-au-Prince, Leogane, Les Cayes and Carrefour.

More than $5 million worth of supplies and medicines have been distributed to local hospitals and survivors living in tent cities to benefit more than 186,000 earthquake survivors.

The earthquake damaged many health care facilities in the affected areas. Medical Teams International met the needs of those who were injured and ill by:

Deploying mobile medical units to various tent cities and rural communities serving nearly 23,000 people.
Supporting Quisqueya Crisis Relief through funding, medical staff, medicines and supplies.
Supplementing hospitals with medical staff, supplies, medicines and emergency orthopedic surgeries.
Transporting critically ill and injured people to the U.S. for lifesaving treatment.

Medical Teams International received overwhelming support from individual and corporate donors. To date, more than $4.6 million dollars in cash has been raised for the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. More than $5 million in medicines and medical supplies have been shipped to Haiti. Donations are accepted online at www.medicalteams.org/haiti or by texting HOPE to 253-83 for a $10 gift.

Dr. Hanks Back in the States; "A Great Deal Was Accomplished" on Recent Trip

21 Mar 2010 18:00

Dr. June Hanks has returned safely to Chattanooga, with news of a great amount of groundwork accomplished during her recent trip to Haiti. She was able to meet with leaders of other NGO's focused on assisting those with disabling conditions in Port-au-Prince, and this week will work on scheduling the many volunteers who will join us this summer.

Free "Webinars" for Healthcare Professionals on Haiti

26 Mar 2010 08:00

Today in PT is offering free "webinars" on health care in Haiti, with information that can be applied for responding to any major disaster.

Go to www.todayinpt.com to learn more!

Frontline to Air Special on Haiti

30 Mar 2010 16:00

Check your local listings for when this will be shown in your area.

And be sure to learn more through their web page

Update, April 5th

05 Apr 2010 07:00

Dr. June Hanks has returned to Haiti for a brief time to interview potential new staff. She will also be working with experts in the prosthetics field who will visit the Advantage Program prosthesis shop to help make sure all is in place for the many new patients who will receive new limbs this spring and summer.

Our first team of physical therapy volunteers for 2010 is also at the clinic!

Advantage Program at the Outdoor Expo Tomorrow!

09 Apr 2010 11:00

The Advantage Program will have a booth at the Outdoor Expo in Chattanooga's Coolidge Park Saturday April 10th from 10 AM to 4 PM. Be sure to stop by and say "hello!"

More information can be found here.

Donor Highlight

22 Apr 2010 09:00

Jason Rogers is a caring and fun-loving 16 year old who loves to ride his bike, go rock climbing, and help out with the sports teams at his high school. His diagnosis of Down's Syndrome does not slow him down! Jason's family has been involved in the Advantage Program work for many years. His father, Jim Rogers, helped to implement the upgraded prosthetics and orthotics shop and his mother, Caroline Rogers, has used her skills as a physical therapist in the clinic. Jason's sister, Lauren, has also helped out in the work. Jason has contributed some of his own personal savings to the Advantage Program and uses personal skills to promote the program on all possible occasions. Thanks for being such a terrific supporter, Jason!

Welcome Our Newest Staff Members!

22 Apr 2010 18:00

Marvin & Carmen Borge, CPOs
We are excited to welcome Marvin & Carmen Borge, CPO's who are graduates of the University of Don Bosco. We hope they will be settled into Haiti and ready to work in the prosthetics/orthotics shop by June or July 2010.

Mesi Anpil (thank you very much)

01 May 2010 18:00

Mesi anpil to the SUPER VOLUNTEER Debra Martin, PT, MS, CLT who has donated an unbelievable amount of time, energy, and expertise to manage the www.AdvantageHaiti.com website and to help make arrangements for visitors. Due to other responsibilities, Debra is having to cut back on time devoted to these specific efforts, but remains an active supporter of the Advantage Program. Thanks for all your hard work, Debra!

Quotables

13 May 2010 05:00

"It is very hard to impart one's own standards to the care of a patient in a developing country. One has to accept the limitations in care and the limited resources, and be ready to compromise, but strive to use your knowledge to give the best care."

Volunteer with Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO): Robert L. Burger, MD; Hematology - Uganda (from HVO newsletter) a