Haiti Blog 4

I am going to try to convince the Canadian troops to practice their marksmanship on the Roosters!

This is a good start !

Went out to a small village along the coast. The scenery was beautiful, but the area very hard hit by "Le Event" as the Haitians call the quake.

The Canadian army helicoptered in a portable operating room donated by the Swiss. This is a self contained unit the size of a large dumpster, with all required equipment to perform surgery. I got a kick out of seeing this Canadian army detachment of big burly men being led by their officer Captain Meghan. She was a girl who looked about 25, but you see how her soldiers respected her.

As we were traveling there, we passed the Peace of Mind hotel. There are not many hotels in Haiti, in fact very few. Anyway, this was completely leveled yet all surrounding shanties remained standing. We were told that an American perished in the rubble. Name of the hotel quite ironic.

I had to do some primary care medicine today between cases, as the clinics were swamped. I actually correctly diagnosed a young girl as being pregnant. She was initially happy, but on reflection became quite grave. It turns out she was studying to be a teacher, and she would likely be thrown out of school. In addition she was very afraid of what her boyfriend's reaction would be.

The HMS Halifax is moored off the coast. Each night it actually pulls out of port and goes out to sea. I suspect it for earthquake protection. Each morning it steams back in. It is very reassuring to see the Canadian platoon stationed outside our medical compound.

There was a young child today who needed tertiary care in the States. A Philadelphia hospital accepted her, and the woman who coordinates our team actually convinced the Philadelphia Eagles to donate their jet to transport her.

I asked our driver today about religion here in Haiti. He said about 40% practiced voodoo, but since "le Event" everybody is a Christian.
Later,
PB