Mobilizing healthcare in rural Haiti
Seeing the photos of early medical clinics stirs a flood of memories for me, each one a poignant reminder of the challenges and triumphs we've experienced along the way to mobilizing healthcare in rural Haiti.
In my role as a trip leader, I've had the privilege of orchestrating the logistics that brought our team together, comprising American medical professionals, volunteers, and the invaluable support of Dr. Sony and his own team of Haitian medical professionals. Together, we converted the church into a clinic and pharmacy to host a 3-day clinic. People started arriving before sunrise and even before the roosters started to crow, to line up for the clinic. By the time we had our morning coffee, there were several hundred people hunkered down waiting for the doors to open.
I would sit by Dr. Sony and watch his warm interactions with each patient, playfully bantering with them as they described their symptoms. With a serious case, he would turn to me, describe the malady, and ask if I wanted to send them to the hospital. It was a humbling experience, one that reinforced the sobering truth that our efforts could only address a fraction of the immense healthcare needs in rural Haiti.
No matter how many supplies we brought or stations we set up, there were always more people seeking care than we could accommodate. Seared into my memory is the image of mothers handing their babies through the windows and the Deacons forcing the doors shut on the last day—our time and supplies were exhausted, but people were still desperate to be seen.
Yet, amidst the challenges, there were moments of profound impact and gratitude. Farmers, once unable to work due to untreated hernias, approached me the following year with smiles and stories of being back to work in their field, their lives transformed by the surgeries we were able to provide.
However, the ultimate hope was always to establish sustainable, long-term access to healthcare in these communities. The realization dawned that relying solely on visiting medical teams was neither feasible nor sustainable in the long run. Dr. Sony and his team are committed to providing quarterly clinics in all four communities. Not only can acute issues be treated, but now long-term illnesses, like diabetes and high blood pressure, can be treated.
We only need to provide the funds.
As I reflect on this journey, I am reminded of the resilience and resourcefulness of the Haitian people and the vision of Haiti H2O: Hope to Opportunity. Though the road ahead may be fraught with challenges, the spirit of Hope will pave the way for more Opportunities in the future.
Warm regards,
Jeff VanderMolen
Co-founder, Haiti H2O: Hope to Opportunity