See our News and Blog pages to keep up-to-date with the latest information. Find out below the context of the situation, our plans and how you can help.
‘We were impressed by the work achieved by the local Haiti Hospital Appeal team and by the comprehensive approach and commitment to the rehabilitation of spinal injured people’
Dr Beat Villiger, MD, CEO and Dr Michael Baumberger, MD and Chief Medic Swiss Paraplegic Centre.
Lack Of Medical And Rehabilitation Support:
In Haiti 10% of the population have a disability. However, according to the World Health Organisation only 2% of people with disabilities in the developing world receive appropriate medical and rehabilitation support. Haiti is no different.
Our Response:
In the aftermath of the earthquake, HHA received 25 spinal chord injury (SCI) patients. Having been stabilised at a near by hospital, there was no where in the North willing or able to except these patients for long term rehabilitation. We transferred two of our buildings into one of Haiti’s first SCI units. This unit is now just one of two long term SCI rehabilitation centres in Haiti. Specialists originally thought that at least 50% of our patients would die due to the severity of their wounds, yet of our 22 earthquake patients, 21 have been successfully rehabilitated.
Recognising the success of this work as our centre gained a national reputation, and the on-going needs for rehabilitation in the Northern department, we’re making this a permanent part of our work.
What We Are Doing:
Thanks to the United Nations, The Swiss Paraplegic Foundation, Healing Hands for Haiti Team Canada, and Konbit Sante, a new rehabilitation centre is being built on our site. The unit will have space for 12 inpatient beds for patients with spinal chord injuries, severe strokes or paediatric disabilities. The centre will also have a physiotherapy and occupational therapy gymnasium for inpatients and outpatients.
Whilst this unit is being built we have already opened both services in partnership with the Christian Blind Mission in a temporary building.
Lives have already been saved through this urgent work, which has been life transforming. People who arrived unable to walk or care for their basic needs have left walking, with great confidence and the ability to look after themselves.
If you’d like to be involved in this exciting part of our work please get in contact today.