I have returned from a trip north to Hinche, 3 1/2 hours from Port au Prince, to visit Midwives for Haiti. I went to look into their Matron (Birth Attendant) Outreach program. They have done a lot of research and have just started up their program. I was heartened to learn that we are using a lot of the same information in our manuals and are doing many of the same things, like including safebirth kits with similar supplies and doing followup meetings. I also learned that the MSPP (the Ministry of Health) is keeping track of all organizations training birth attendants and that they have produced a manual. Supposedly they identify matrons in particular areas and can sign them up for classes. I hear it's not so easy and that they are somewhat difficult to work with. We shall see. I felt very validated for all the work I have done and am still doing, and we will partner together in the future.
While we were there, Bobbie and I worked in the Hospital St Therese on the maternity unit. I saw a lot of kind of disturbing things, and it was discouraging for her to see that some of the midwives who have been trained are not dealing well with emergencies and seem somewhat apathetic towards many of the patients. A baby was born dead out on the unit to a mother with eclampsia and it seems like she should have had an emergency caesarean. Another woman was in 3 days of labor after her water broke with a high fever and was told to stay in the bed when walking would have been the best thing. It seemed like she had an infection and no one was paying attention to it, or the fact that she hadn't gone into labor after 3 days when her water broke. Another woman was given a D & C with no anesthesia. These were only a couple of the stories. On the other hand the program for midwives training seems thorough and very good- now they just have to somehow model the kind of care they want them to provide.
The drive there was beautiful, along the Artibonite River and through the mountains to the central plateau of Haiti. We passed through many villages and saw the first hospital of Partners in Health in Cange, that so inspired me when I first read about it. I have never been this far north and it was really a lush green and mountainous drive, as soon as we left the dry treeless area between Port au Prince and the mountains to the north. I love seeing all the little farms along the way and children out playing. The air is clean and fresh and it's really nice to get away from the constant dust, smoke and traffic of Port au Prince.
Andrew also visited a feeding program served by the nuns of Mother Theresa and we visited a girls' orphanage as well to give out some toys and art supplies. It is still sad to me the situations that so many children in Haiti are subjected to. So many orphans, so many malnourished little ones.
We got back this morning and went to the beach for the afternoon. Carnival is approaching, so all of Haiti is in a party mood. There was lots of music and dancing there and we swam a lot and had a great time. There were 9 people piled in the back of Pouchon's truck and 5 more inside. It's such a pleasure to be able to take some of our Haitian friends and staff out to the beach for a day.
The time to leave for home is approaching and it always comes too soon. It has been a great team, lots of fun and working together really well to take good care of our patients. A great joy as always to see Emma's commitment to her little boys and how MUCH she loves them.
Lots of satisfaction and joy from Haiti.....please warm things up for me before I return.
While we were there, Bobbie and I worked in the Hospital St Therese on the maternity unit. I saw a lot of kind of disturbing things, and it was discouraging for her to see that some of the midwives who have been trained are not dealing well with emergencies and seem somewhat apathetic towards many of the patients. A baby was born dead out on the unit to a mother with eclampsia and it seems like she should have had an emergency caesarean. Another woman was in 3 days of labor after her water broke with a high fever and was told to stay in the bed when walking would have been the best thing. It seemed like she had an infection and no one was paying attention to it, or the fact that she hadn't gone into labor after 3 days when her water broke. Another woman was given a D & C with no anesthesia. These were only a couple of the stories. On the other hand the program for midwives training seems thorough and very good- now they just have to somehow model the kind of care they want them to provide.
The drive there was beautiful, along the Artibonite River and through the mountains to the central plateau of Haiti. We passed through many villages and saw the first hospital of Partners in Health in Cange, that so inspired me when I first read about it. I have never been this far north and it was really a lush green and mountainous drive, as soon as we left the dry treeless area between Port au Prince and the mountains to the north. I love seeing all the little farms along the way and children out playing. The air is clean and fresh and it's really nice to get away from the constant dust, smoke and traffic of Port au Prince.
Andrew also visited a feeding program served by the nuns of Mother Theresa and we visited a girls' orphanage as well to give out some toys and art supplies. It is still sad to me the situations that so many children in Haiti are subjected to. So many orphans, so many malnourished little ones.
We got back this morning and went to the beach for the afternoon. Carnival is approaching, so all of Haiti is in a party mood. There was lots of music and dancing there and we swam a lot and had a great time. There were 9 people piled in the back of Pouchon's truck and 5 more inside. It's such a pleasure to be able to take some of our Haitian friends and staff out to the beach for a day.
The time to leave for home is approaching and it always comes too soon. It has been a great team, lots of fun and working together really well to take good care of our patients. A great joy as always to see Emma's commitment to her little boys and how MUCH she loves them.
Lots of satisfaction and joy from Haiti.....please warm things up for me before I return.