[At left: Dr. Hale and Dr. Aldrich in Grand Boulage with newborn and mom, surrounded by friends and family.
Friends of Haiti began medical missions in 2001 by providing free or low cost medical care twice a year with doctors, nurses and support staff who pay their own transportation costs to travel to Haiti. The first clinic was in Thomazeau where a social hall is used. There are now 5-7 sites visited twice each year, in order to make care more accessible to the mountain people. Medical supplies are donated and purchased and packed in suitcases, which the travelers carry with them. 5,000-6,000 patients are seen on each trip. In 2009, cost of meds, drivers, translators, etc averaged $9.00 per patient. Dental care is now provided, as well as reading glasses.
New in 2010 are surgery trips, headed by Dr. Jack Hale and Dr. Ed Vogel. Two 4 day trips are scheduled each year at Double Harvest , one of the cleaner hospitals in Haiti that is run by the Southern Baptists. Patients seen at clinics can be referred, with 45 surgeries done in Spring 2010. The first cataract surgery has also been done at Croix des Bouquets. A Haitian doctor is volunteering one day a week.
Several efforts to establish health agents and/or providers has not been permanent. Efforts are now in process to secure a healthcare paraprofessional and clinic station in Thomazeau.
To inquire about medical or surgery trips, see the How You Can Help Page
Technician Erica Norsetter doing lab test - Spring 2007.
Dr. Stu Adair evaluating hydrocephalic infant.
Bill Ford and assistants fitting people with a thousand pairs of glasses - Spring 2007
Dr. Ed Vogel and Nurse Fay Fritsch with a 2 1/2-year-old who weight 10 pounds - Fall 2006.