Line of patients at the Petit Goave clinic
“Oh, Lord please grant me wisdom as I triage. May I notice and recognize the people needing immediate care and who can wait. Please don’t let me send away someone who needs to be seen today.” These prayers echoed in my mind during the days when medications and personnel limited who we could see at the TiGoave clinic. Deciding who gets the limited time and medical resources is normally not an easy task in Haiti. But with a crowd of traumatized people, even those without direct earthquake injuries or acute illnesses deserved to be seen. While I knew I had to try to make the judgment calls, it was not a comfortable job.
One way I attempted to limit the crowd was to emphasize that the doctors came prepared for injuries and not chronic illnesses. “So if you’ve been sick for more than a month we may not have medications and you’ll need to wait until this afternoon to be seen.” I announced. I don’t know how many people left after receiving this information but a few at least.
Before marking a number on the palm or back of their hand I tried to ask what their symptoms consisted of to avoid having people wait for problems we didn’t have medications or treatment for, like sleeping pills. An older lady had waited patiently for me to get to her. I don’t remember much about her physical make up other than she was thin and her conjunctive were pale. She complained of vaginal bleeding for several months. Already started with my speech about chronic problems I suddenly stopped, marked her hand and directed her to the short stone wall near the procedure room.
I quickly explained to the OB/Gyn why a chronic illness was waiting and that I had Okayed it. I returned to my less than desirable, but necessary role as gate keeper.
Later that night as we had group devotions and sharing time I learned the rest of the story. Dr. Shawn shared about this lady. How he diagnosed a polyp causing her chronic blood loss and by thinking out side the box, they were able to find a few tools to provide treatment for her. What normally would have been an easy routine job in his office-took on new challenges because of the set up and lack of tools. Thankfully with the Lord’s help they got the job done. While we didn’t even have any iron pills for her-at least her body should have a chance to slowly regain strength.
As the weeks, of clinic at Wesleyan Ti Goave , now the only ‘hospital’ open in town, many of the patients being seen are treated for indirect earthquake problems caused by living outside, lack of clean water or food, many people living in close quarters, and accidents. The earthquake brought the healthcare workers and volunteers to the Ti Goave compound to show the Lord’s love to the suffering. Only the Lord knows what today, tomorrow, next week or next month holds for any of us.
Please pray for the ministry at Ti Goave. First and most important that the main reason for the work would remain priority: to share God’s love in such a way that souls will be won for all eternity. Pray hat the patients would receive what they need and their suffering be lessened.
Pray for the right people to come in the Lord’s timing to do the vast amount of work and rebuilding that needs to be done. That the supplies and finances would be present when needed. We have an opportunity to serve like no other time-may it not be wasted.
Dr. Kris
