We have heard from our contacts at the Hospital St. Francis de Sale in Port Au Prince. The news is difficult to bear:
"Thank you for your concern. In our dear Hospital St. Francois de Sales the building that contained the surgery, maternity, pediatric, and general medicine units have been completely destroyed killing about 30 patients (some of them parents and medical assistants). The building where the Sisters used to reside was also destroyed as was our entire stock of medicine. The building that was supposed to provide shelter to the maternity patients that Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach had helped us to build is intact and it is in this building that the surgery of the injured patients is taking place." Dr. Jean Marie Caidor, Chief Medical Officer
The hospital is about 70 percent destroyed, though it remains operational for emergency care. Catholic Relief Services is providing medicines, supplies, food, water, and extra medical staff. Global Health Ministry is working with the Catholic Medical Mission Board to send a team of 13. They are looking for Creole speaking medical professionals. If you meet the criteria and want to volunteer, send the following information to Sr. Mary Jo McGinley (mmcginley@che.org):
1. Name, Specific Professional level (ex. MD – Ortho surgeon; RN – ICU)
2. Contact info: Email Address; Work Phone; Cell phone; home address
3. Workplace: Name of place and location.
4. Language: Fluent or Conversational in Haitian Creole or French.
Catholic Healthcare West hospitals are continuing to organize supplies and other donations (a special thanks to Northridge Hospital Medical Center, which is donating more than $4,000 worth of medical and surgical supplies) and are working closely with our partners throughout Catholic healthcare to meet the needs of the Haitian people.
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