Angels in Scrubs

 

I was fortunate to spend time at the ‘Zanmitay Sant de Sante’ Medical Clinic (translated to ‘friends helping friends’) located on the Haiti Arise Campus.  The clinic is open 5 days a week and is equipped with an onsite pharmacy, laboratory, multiple clinic rooms, ultrasound machine, dental room and public showers. It is run by one generalist physician, two nurses, one lab technician and administration staff. It is common for patients to be lined up in the outdoor waiting room; many of them travelling great distances to get here.

 I spend the first day with Dr. Fritz; he sees approximately 40-50 patients a day from Grand Goave and the surrounding area. As a nurse myself, I helped with screening the patients and taking their vitals signs prior to their consult with the doctor. They have an electronic blood pressure machine, but it only works if there is power; otherwise, it is taken the old fashion way- with a cuff and a stethoscope. We saw all kinds of illness ranging from heartburn, headache, cough, vaginal infections, fungal infections, impetigo, parasites, suspected congestive heart failure, malaria and typhoid. Often, patients were given a prescription and a blood test. More complicated cases needing x-rays or pediatric consults were referred to the General Hospital. To my surprise, the lab tech can process results in approximately 45 mins. This is extremely helpful in confirming diagnoses, and determining what treatment is needed. The cost of consultation, lab tests, and medication is approximately $3 USD for each patient. The pharmacy purchases medication from Port- au-Prince, in bulk, and they dispense into smaller increments on site. For example a large jug of Tylenol is poured into smaller bottles for individual patients to take home.

This experience made me realize how lucky we are to have free healthcare in Canada. The accessibility to doctors, diagnostic tests, prescription medication and follow up, is truly a blessing that we often take for granted. There are challenges to keeping things sterile and clean here that we do not face at our medical centres in Canada, such as; there is minimal cupboard space, hand sanitizer, disinfectant etc. The medical staff does a great job, in spite of the resources and environment, to provide the best care to this needy community. The patient’s leave very grateful for their service and with a smile on their face.

I finished the day with filing charts; they estimate that they currently have 20,000 patients with more and more new patients every day. Thank God for Haiti Arise and the staff of this medical clinic, they are truly Angels in scrubs.

Bondye beniw (God bless),

Jasmine Buchanan