From tragedy, opportunity-a new beginning for haiti and the dominican republic.

摘要: I went to Haiti in late January as a member of an Operation Rainbow (www.operationrainbow.org) surgical team which comprised both Kaiser Permanente (KP) and non-KP members. As background, my own medical charity, Medical Exchange International (www.medicalexchangeintl.org), had partnered with the past provide anesthesia equipment for several missions developing world. In Haiti, we opportunity not only pulse oximeters supplies, but also help out on clinical front line. anesthesiologist background medicine critical care, split time about half between operating rooms intensive care unit (ICU), were intense busy. Whereas could write at length what did how coped severely constrained resources, want focus this article important “epiphenomenon”: catalytic action earthquake tragedy create new inflection point long history Haiti-Dominican Republic relations. Although experienced startling devastation Port-au-Prince when into city deliver oximeter, our work took place entirely Buen Samaritano (or Bon Samaritain French) makeshift hospital town Jimani, one mile east Haitian-Dominican border Dominican Republic. Before earthquake, facility was yet-to-open complex comprising chapel, orphanage, dental clinic. After chapel orphanage rapidly converted wards, clinic became acute venue including 4-room suite. We estimated 250 patients site, almost all whom injured Haitian refugees. 20 50 cases day 4 consultation rooms. The vast majority orthopedic plastics procedures, expected. ICU, cared 5 10 any given day, opened up perinatal ward suddenly found ourselves doing C-sections (if you build it, they will come …). The staffed by volunteers from over worked closely superb surgeons, mission lead Dave Atkin, MD, San Francisco pediatric specialist Chris Comstock, Corpus Christi, Texas, surgeons around US globe. excellent emergency/critical Barcelona (and mean cross-covering maintain 24/7 on-site care—the real thing). Nurses pharmacists world together, remember being particularly touched saw group Israelis Arab unload tons food that brought United Emirates. All is say there tremendous truly inspiring internationalism—a deep humanism full bloom here. Post-op patient. This leads me main point: witnessed first-hand extraordinary stepping-up-to-the-plate government people. From moment arrived, Dominicans dedicated their major international airport Santo Domingo relief efforts. Because Haiti's airports marginally functional best, crucial immediate short aid corridor active endless stream trucks laden food, water, tents, coal, firewood, blankets, more dozens countries very notable contribution itself. For example, sent 15 mobile cafeterias serving 100,000 meals Haiti. Water Corporation tank trucks, each containing 2000 gallons water. Estimates total date have exceeded $17 million, no small sum island republic itself nation. army conspicuously keeping side safe until Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Force (which fortuitously been prior earthquake) assure lifeline kept flowing. Thankfully, authorities allowed thousands refugees cross eastward seek emergency other hospitals. Dr John Freedman Hospital. At Samaritano, noted many drugs used, hefty component supplies used such oxygen masks, epidural kits, IV catheters, came personnel presence huge, literally hundreds representing Public Health Department (known its Spanish acronym SESPAS), Food Aid Program, Republic's organization URN Unidad de Rescate Nacional), well representatives countless humanitarian programs Pan-American Organization (PAHO), Agency Development, UN World Ninos las Naciones. Dominican-based ARS Humano provided trailers tuberculosis isolation spinal cord injury unit. interpreters navigated tricky Creole-French-Spanish language challenges us. military transport choppers those private entities airspace us evacuate some most critically ill USNS Comfort ship. night peace amidst influx charity Esperanza transportation team. Last certainly least (from anesthesiologist's standpoint), Red Cross filled depleting tanks every few days—life-giving assistance, figuratively. Buen Hospital. This largesse would be worthy praise worth relating But makes it heartening extraordinary, fact “game-changing” if can apply adjective relations, opens era tense violent relations these two neighboring nations. Columbus landed Hispaniola his first voyage New 1492 promptly claimed Spain. take French wrest Spanish, thus establishing separate equal colonies political, cultural, economic disparities persist day. still resent period occupation 1822 through 1844, though scholars insist Haitians “invited” ensure abolition slavery post-Spanish Dominica. Little known outsiders, ultimately win independence Spain overseers. repaid favor kind brutal retaliatory massacre 20,000 despotic Trujillo regime 1937. To make matters worse, persistent sharp contrast prosperity, inherent racism Republic—have continued fuel fires hatred, fear, mistrust. ranks respectable 90 182 UN's Human Development Index, composite measure wealth, health, educational indices. comes miserable 149, just hair above Sudan. economy has profited cheap labor: than 90% country's sugar workers are origin. average expect live or her 70s, whereas 61 life expectancy now surely reduced result earthquake. understandable rejected offer 3000 troops tendered week after quake intent assisting battalion securing eastern similar idea having Russian “peacekeepers” Ukraine. UN peacekeepers. But mostly ugly relationship prevailed centuries may coming end. opening 12, 2010, it. Some interest prevent “failed Haiti” already case) pragmatists working stem tide No doubt is, always, element public here received good press seen action, lines, effort observation pragmatic PR. It huge robust, carefully thought out, thoroughly genuine. Time tell represents true turning ushers uneasily share backyard. costliest natural disaster recorded according Inter-American Bank. great tragedy, rebuilding phase, seem grasped that. healing turn ingredient formula long-term use word advisedly) reconstruction.