ADRA-UK News Update

A shortage of medical attention, medicines, and supplies remains a major challenge in earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince, eleven days after more than 111,000 died and thousands others were injured in one of the worst catastrophes in modern times, reported the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).

According to ADRA staff coordinating the agency’s response in the Haitian capital, medical facilities are still in need of medical supplies, specifically surgical tools, such as sterilization equipment, bone saws, and disposable medical supplies that include gloves, bandages, and masks.

“In the last several days the facilities have been overwhelmed by the sheer number of injured survivors,” said an ADRA staff member in Haiti.

On Tuesday, January 19, ADRA conducted a medical supply assessment of the 71-bed Adventist Hospital of Haiti located in the Carrefour neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, and sent a request to Orlando-based Florida Hospital for a shipment to replenish critically low supplies.

“Florida Hospital was devastated to hear of the earthquake in Haiti and horrified to see the images that came out of that country,” said Lars Houmann, Florida Hospital president and chief executive officer. “As is our nature as caregivers, many in our organization were eager to spring into action.”

In less than two days, Florida Hospital, working with ADRA, airlifted $71,000 worth of medical supplies aboard a chartered Boeing 727 aircraft that landed in Port-au-Prince Thursday morning, January 21. The supplies, which will be delivered in the next two days with the support of U.N. personnel, include 23 palettes containing 10,000 bags of IV solution, IV lines, antibiotics, analgesics, masks, gloves, surgical instruments, orthopedic surgical supplies, bandages, soap, personal hygiene items, and other supplies. This donation will support the Adventist Hospital of Haiti where thousands of people have flocked for treatment since the disaster.

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These medical supplies could not have come at a more crucial time,” said John Torres, who has been working as the liaison between the Adventist Hospital of Haiti and ADRA’s emergency response team in Port-au-Prince. “Medical supplies are being used as quickly as they arrive.”

Gustavo Vilorio, a Mexican surgeon who has been performing more than 20 surgeries a day since he arrived in Port-au-Prince last Monday, also added that the supplies provided by Florida Hospital will satisfy some of the “most pressing” surgical needs of the affected population.

Florida Hospital, which operates a group of private hospitals in central Florida and is nationally recognized for its institutes of cancer, cardiology, diabetes, orthopedics, and neuroscience, will be working with ADRA to facilitate further shipments of supplies to Haiti.

Thursday’s airlift also carried 40 pallets donated by Harvest Time International, based in Sanford, Florida, aid that included tarps, heavy plastic sheeting, water, hygiene items, generators, baby and medical supplies.

ADRA is also partnering with Florida Emergency Physicians, an independently owned group that provides emergency medical care for patients of Florida Hospital in the Greater Orlando area, who contributed $25,000 to support ADRA’s ongoing response efforts in Haiti.

“We are thankful for the great support of Florida Hospital, Harvest Time International and Florida Emergency Physicians as we continue our relief efforts in Haiti,” said Charles Sandefur, president of ADRA International who arrived in Port-au-Prince this week. “We look forward to continuing these partnerships, as they are a critical part of our work to provide hope and healing to thousands of people in Haiti who have been touched by this disaster.”

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Source: ADRA International