Calls mission clinic “one of the best in the area” of Northwest Haiti

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Saint-Louis du Nord, Haiti — A story aired on CBS News Saturday highlighting the efforts of Northwest Haiti Christian Mission’s medical clinic to help meet the enormous health needs in the country’s Northwest Department.

The piece, which was shown on the CBS Evening News, outlines Haiti’s dire public health climate even before the January 12 earthquake that destroyed most of the health-care infrastructure in Port-au-Prince. CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook calls NWHCM’s clinic “one of the best in the region,” noting, however, that both public hospitals and NGOs must be better equipped to fully address the country’s medical problems.

In the piece, LaPook tells the story of NWHCM’s medical staff having to share an oxygen machine between a premature baby and an expectant mother experiencing labor complications, because only one machine was available.

“The reality is that even the best-equipped NGO hospitals in Haiti have to make very hard decisions every day because resources are so limited, compared with hospitals in the United States,” said Andy Olsen, NWHCM media director. “LaPook’s story underscores the huge need for greater financial support of medical ministries in Haiti, and the need for governments to invest in Haiti’s public health infrastructure.”

NWHCM has been providing free and low-cost medical care in Northwest Haiti for more than 20 years. It’s medical facilities are almost entirely staffed by trained Haitian doctors and nurses, and surgeries are offered at various times throughout the year by NWHCM’s many visiting surgery teams. Click here to learn more about NWHCM’s medical programs.

View more about LaPook’s reflections on his experience at NWHCM’s clinic.

Click here to view the full video segment on CBS.

Watch the Story :: Video Courtesy CBS News

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Wednesday, January 27 — Northwest Haiti Christian Mission has been overwhelmed with requests from U.S. medical professionals desiring to travel to Haiti to assist in earthquake relief efforts. At this time, organizations in Port-au-Prince are turning away medical volunteers for lack of resources and facilities to utilize them. NWHCM is unable to accept any new inquiries for medical personnel at this time, though we will continue utilizing small, specialized medical teams on a limited basis, based on the recommendations of our medical staff and their analysis of the medical needs in Haiti.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and we are truly grateful for the God-given desire to help. Haiti’s need is greater than ever, and will continue to be for years to come. There will be ample opportunities to serve on NWHCM medical teams later this year and in future years, and we encourage anyone interested in serving to consider applying for one of those teams. — The NWHCM medical staff

In May, NWHCM staff finished the initial phase of moving in to the mission’s new maternity center, which is now open.  The center now includes four patient rooms and a four-bed delivery room.  In coming months, our maternity facility will also include an OR, two exam rooms, and a premature infant room with incubators and oxygen concentrators.

In addition to routine deliveries, NWHCM’s maternity center offers care for high-risk patients with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, as well as infant care and post-partum care for mothers and infants.  It also serves as a first-line ER, where staff primarily treat lacerations, burns, dehydration and congestive heart failure.

Thanks to a renewed partnership with FAME, an Indianapolis-based medical ministry, the maternity center opened with a strong inventory of medical supplies, including new delivery beds and incubators.

NWHCM is grateful to FAME and all the generous partners who made the new maternity center a reality.  On average, the mission’s staff deliver more than 80 babies a month.

To learn more about NWHCM’s diverse medical ministries, please click here.

In April, Northwest Haiti Christian Mission interpreters completed a one-day intensive training course in medical interpreting. The course included study of advanced anatomy and medical terminology, as well as training in interpreting best practices, ethics, and skill-sharpening.

NWHCM's medical interpreter team during the Spring interpreting training. NWHCM photo

In all, 16 Haitian interpreters participated in the training, which was led by Erika Olsen, NWHCM staff development coordinator and a former medical interpreter in the United States. Good medical interpreting requires precise, objective communication between doctors, interpreters and patients, and can make a major difference in the quality of care patients receive.

The course was part of NWHCM’s ongoing efforts to provide greater training and preparation for all its employees, both national and North American.  This year, nurses at NWHCM’s clinic and maternity center have been involved in regular professional workshops led by Melissa Curtice, NWHCM assistant medical director.

NWHCM believes in creating a culture of empowered service, where professional skills are valued and encouraged as a vital part of ministry.  The mission is always seeking skilled individuals willing to serve in Northwest Haiti by organizing or leading training sessions, workshops or classes for employees and community members.  Please contact us to learn more about the many opportunities to serve in this way.