This past Thursday I got an unexpected look at the Wesleyan Hospital on La Gonave when I suddenly came down with an intestinal illness. After I realized I was not even able to keep water down and was getting dehydrated, I called one of our Haitian nurses, Miss Vero, to help. She and another nurse Miss Manoos came over shortly after the call armed with two IV bags, anti-naseau medication, and syringes.
I watched as the two skillfully rigged up the IV in my bedroom and conscientiously charted everything they gave me in a 1 subject notebook from my desk drawer. They carefully cleaned my skin with alcohol swabs before announcing the Creole word for shot, “Pike.” (pronounced pee-kay). Then they injected me with metoclopramide for my nausea and chloroquine in case I had malaria (Malaria is so common here that the nurses treat almost any fever accompanied by chills and muscle aches as malaria.). It was clear that this house call was old hat for the two senior nurses.
Miss Vero, who acts as the equivalent of an American Physician’s Assistant serves as an anesthesiologist for all surgeries in the hospital. And Miss Manoos, another head nurse, has had her share of experience with severely ill patients. They are just two examples of the highly skilled professionals we have working at the Wesleyan Hospital in La Gonave.
A little later, when the medicine started to take effect, I asked these two women about the hospital supplies. They explained to me that they were out of chloroquine, and Miss Vero had brought some down from her house for me. They also explained that the metoclopramide was their second choice treatment. They would have preferred promethazine another anti-naseau drug, but had used their last vile of it the day before.
The supplies aren’t the only thing being stretched thin in the hospital. The staff, too, has been pushed hard post-earthquake. I could see it in the faces of Miss Manoos and Miss Vero when they arrived at my house at 6:00 p.m., still dressed in scrubs on a work day that should have ended around 3 in the afternoon.
The two nurses explained to me that they are still seeing an increased number of patients, many with wounds from the earthquake. When I asked if they have enough staff, the two adamantly replied with a yes. But shortly after added, if there were some missionaries who wanted to come for the hospital, they would be welcomed.
Now, just 2 days, 3 IVs, and 16 pills later, I am on the mend. I have our dedicated, resourceful hospital staff to thank for that.
with gratitude,
justine
p.s. Since this post was written our hospital has received several suitcases of supplies from the Scottish lemonaid team. I have asked Miss Vero to compile a list of other needed resources.
