Haiti medical relief: Update on medication donations

Sunday, August 07, 2011

Update on medication donations

Hi all,
So far in 2011, Haiti Mission Project has received $10,516.49 in donations designated for the purchase of medications for several organizations in Haiti! Of that amount, $5121.18 was designated to be used to purchase cholera medications and supplies only.

I have purchased medications on 4 separate occasions (5/3, 6/7, 7/7, and 7/28). All of the purchased medications are now in Haiti, with the exception of the medications purchased on 7/28--those medications will arrive in Haiti in mid-August.

$5274.06 has been used to purchase cholera medications for Real Hope for Haiti's cholera treatment center.
$4478.92 has been used to purchase additional (non-cholera) medications for Real Hope for Haiti, as well as medications for Heartline and for Dr. Megan Coffee.

There is currently $688.11 remaining in the medication account. Real Hope for Haiti has been able to obtain (via donations) most of their needed supplies in Haiti. As a result, I haven't needed to purchase any cholera supplies yet. They do currently have one need, and I will be spending a small amount of the remaining money on pediatric IV tubing to be used for children with cholera. I was able to find a great deal online (via Amazon.com, of all places).

The remainder of the donated funds will be spent within the next couple months to continue purchasing medications for Haiti, and specifically for cholera in Haiti. Donations are generally spent within a couple months of being received, if not much sooner. The need for funds to purchase medications is certainly ongoing, so please continue to donate as you are able. Please visit Haiti Mission Project's support page to donate (click on the 2nd yellow "Donate" button).

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!

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what I'm doing

I first traveled to Haiti in 1998. For the next 10 years, I visited Haiti once or twice a year, working with various organizations but mainly with Providence Ministries. I finished pediatric residency in June 2007 and spent 9 months volunteering as a pediatrician in Haiti from Sept 2007 through May 2008, then started fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine. I finished fellowship in mid-2011 then started an attending job. My state-side home is in Minnesota.

While in Haiti in 2007-08, I worked at a medical clinic in La Digue, a small village about 30 miles north of Port au Prince. We saw children with conditions common in the developing world, such as malnutrition, malaria and parasites, as well as conditions common in children all over the world, like respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.

Five days after the earthquake in January 2010 I joined a medical relief team at Heartline Field Hospital in Port au Prince. I initially planned to stay 6 weeks but ended up staying for about 5 months total throughout the year, traveling back and forth multiple times in 2010 while running the field hospital. I have had the privilege of providing medical care for some of the strongest, bravest people I've ever met.

In 2011 and beyond my medical work in Haiti has continued, first by responding to the cholera epidemic, then in other areas as needs have arisen. I continue to work with several different organizations in Haiti including Heartline Ministries. I spent over 4 months in Haiti in 2011 and I'm looking forward to several more months in-country coming up in 2012.