I want to give you an update on where things stand in Haiti right now, as well as with Kelby’s Kids and myself.
I don’t think there is anywhere in the world that is not at least aware of CONVID-19 now. Its effects continue to spread. Haiti believed it had been spared up until recently.
When Haiti had 2 cases test positive, there was almost an immediate closing of the borders, ports, and airports. The medical system is fragile and limited at best (as you will read later).
I think part of the delay was the lack of testing available or being done, so most likely there are a significant number of cases already. Although there is little social distancing going on, the people are afraid. Because they don’t understand, and understanding all too well the medical system.
Thus far, there have been threats of violence against anyone testing positive. Food is disappearing from stores (where the wealthier shop) and will affect the streets very soon. In a culture where food is purchased every day in street markets for only that day, it will become a crisis very soon, and it makes self-quarantine impossible. This could lead to an unimaginable situation quickly.
Now add to it the fact that virtually no one with the virus will receive medical care and the fact that there are 3 million people in this little city, it will spread like wild fire. And while it’s diminished, alongside the fear of COVID, there is still plenty of crime and gang activity that continues. The future of Haiti is a big unknown.
At this present time, I am stuck on this island. . . . .
I purchased a ticket some time ago to go back to Michigan on March 26th, to do taxes.
There are reports that there will be some repatriating flights (the U.S. assisting with flights for citizens to return home) this coming week. But, as of yet, any details are very unclear.
Please be in prayer for Haiti in general, and, in particular, for patients that are in the various clinics, Pray for the continued work of Kelby’s Kids and me., Pray for the chance to get back to the U.S.
In the interim, our medical clinic has been canceled — since as we can’t treat anyone with the virus, and don’t want to try to screen people for their illness. We run the risk of exposing others in the malnutrition, maternity, and wound care clinics — as we’re continuing those clinics for current patients (albiet, with limited services). We’re quickly trying to phase out their need for care.
It did not seem appropriate to just walk away and leave them hanging. Because they are experiencing an even greater crisis.
We will have to be very diligent to ensure the safety of the patients so it remains helpful, and not hurtful.
Please pray that the clinic will be a place of help and hope and for protection of the patients and the staff as we try to continue to show love and be the hands and feet of Jesus to them.
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About 2 weeks ago I was asked by Karen to stop by and check on a mom that was living at the clinic compound.
Merline was staying there to try to get her daughter into the Hydrocephalus program in Port-Au-Prince. She lives in the country, several hours outside of PAP. She had not been drinking very much water and was exhausted from caring for her daughter.
Merline’s Daughter at 1 month and 6 pounds.
Her daughter was 1 month old and only weighed 6 pounds, even despite her large head. The Hydrocephalus program told her she was malnourished and would have to gain some weight before they could help her. Fortunately, Merline had an ultrasound and, upon seeing the baby had a large head, scheduled a C-section. This probably saved both of their lives. Merline is only 15 years old.
I started to asses her by checking her vitals laying down and then standing up to see how much of a change occurs to determine how dehydrated she was.
About half way through the blood pressure while standing up she went unresponsive.
She was carried into the clinic and an IV was started to re-hydrate her. She was having a lot of abdominal pain, she had a fever. And her blood pressure was low.
Upon getting more of the story and a full assessment, I believe that she had an infection from a complication of her C-section.
Karen asked if I could try to care for her and arrangements could be made to get her back to the hospital that did the C-section the next day. I was initially reluctant as this requires hospitalization. But then, thinking of the current medical system and how difficult it is to get any care, I decided we may be able to do more than a lot of hospitals would do.
Despite IV fluids, medication for fever, she was quickly getting worse and her fever shot up to 105.5. The antibiotics would take time to begin working and at the current rate she might not survive the night. HERO ambulance was called to transport her, and to facilitate getting her into a “decent” hospital.
The Dispatch calls hospitals looking for acceptance for the patient so the ambulance knows where to go.
Initially they were getting “NO’s”. They made contact with an ER doctor. They accepted the patient. Ten minutes later when the ambulance arrived, they found that the hospital was on strike and had been closed for 2 days. After 5 hospitals they finally got acceptance at another ER (remember when I said medical care was already woefully inadequate in Haiti).
HERO graciously said they would provide a charity transport if I would help with the patient’s hospital bills as this is a more expensive hospital. I agreed, as was initially my intention.
As the ambulance pulled out of the yard that night, Merline’s mom started to cry. Her little girl was going to a hospital without her, she was left with her sick grandbaby, and was a long way from home without friends or family.
We made arrangement for the baby to go up to God’s Littlest Angels to be cared for until she could become healthy.
Merline was found to have postpartum sepsis. She was treated by the hospital and after several days was released with further care at home.
L to R: Merline’s Mom, Merline, and myself after she was released from the hospital Monday.
She got back to the compound about 4 pm on Monday.
On Tuesday morning she came over crying with severe pain in her arm. While she was in the hospital, her IV went bad. And now she had a bad infection in her arm!
Soooo … back to the hospital she went. After a few more days, the infection was under control, and she came back again.
It was so good to see her feeling well and doing better. She was SO much better than when we saw her that first day! While I was talking to her, she sheepishly asked if I could give her some money.
She said she needed to get a few things. I asked how much, and she said $250 HTG ($2.63 USD). Certainly, a small amount to us but almost a day’s wages for some Haitians. I said I think I might be able to do that, as I pulled a crisp new $250-gourde bill out of my wallet and handed it to her. The look on her face and the look she gave her mom almost brought me to tears. You would have through I had Just given her $100,000! What made that so sweet was the fact that I DID give her $100,000 (actually YOU did)!
Her hospital bill was just over $100,000 HTG (about $1,060 USD).
This is about 84 weeks wages for the average Haitian. I don’t think she has any idea what it cost to save her life, and I hope she never does. My only hope is that she felt loved, that she has worth, that she knows that people care about her, and that there is a God who loves her very much!
Please continue to pray for Merline as she continues to heal. She left yesterday to go back home. I wanted to give her a big hug but this is not something that is done much in his culture — plus the risk of the virus and her just coming from the hospital. Please pray for her daughter. As on last report, the baby was not doing well, and probably wont live to many more days.
I am thankful for the hope found in Merline’s healing, praying for the heartache she is about to endure, and for protection from the chaos that is coming.
Thank-You for your continued prayers and I will try to keep you updated on the situation in Haiti and if I am able to get out. It’s all in God’s hands!
Until No Child Dies,
Kelby