The Good Samaritan School, Haiti

Clinic Planning Group Meets In Stamford

Last night, 11 Good Samaritan Rebuilding volunteers gathered in Stamford to discuss how best to consider establishing a permanent health & wellness clinic in Carrefour. The conversation was wide ranging.

Jens Haerter, the husband of Dr. Patty Jorquera, began the evening by explaining the good, the bad, and the ugly when opening a medical facility in a third world country. He and Patty started a clinic in rural Ecuador about 10 years ago. In that time, they have learned what to do and what not to do. Jens' careful explanations were incredibly helpful. He had also put together several handouts for us summarizing his thoughts.

Dr. David Reed emphasized that a permanent clinic needs to provide basic medical care--immunizations, physical exams, pre-natal care, etc.--plus health education, especially for women. The clinic would refer serious cases to the hospital or other local medical facilities.

Dr. Patty, Jens, and Dr. Reed all emphasized the importance of local ownership, staffing, and operation of the clinic. American doctors and nurses could augment and train Haitians in certain procedures and come to Haiti to deal with conditions needing advanced intervention. In addition, it was universally agreed that a small fee would be charged. Payment for service gives value to the care, supports the dignity of the patient, and contributes to the cost of running the clinic.

There is much to be done. Quoting Jens, "I can promise you right now, that it will be twice as long, and twice as hard to do a lot of things, involving the community this way. But, from everything that we have seen and heard, this is the only approach that will work over the long term."

The group will continue to meet and work on details of opening a permanet clinic in the Waney neighborhood of Carrefour. Thanks for their leadership.

In time, École le bon Samaritain will be rebuilt and, hopefully, space for the clinic will be included. At that time the two initiatives will come together to serve the community in education, healthcare, and community wellness.