A new Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity of Pennsylvania (VOSH PA) mission site was opened in Pont Sondé, Haiti about sixty miles northwest of Port-au-Prince and just inland from the sea. The mission was sponsored by Sové Lavi, which is liberally interpreted to mean "save lives." Founded by one-time Haitian presidential candidate and American food industry capitalist Dumas Simeus, Sové Lavi is a community-based group that concentrates on uplifting health care in Haiti.
This
mission was unique; we stayed in a small hotel located adjacent to the Sové
Lavi sponsored community health clinic. This very clean, but small two-story
building was a hodge-podge of little examination rooms connected by narrow
hallways and located on the main street of the town. Because the building
lacked a large standing area, the patients were forced to line up along the
heavily traveled street prior to registration causing some episodic breakdown
of behavior. As is usually the case, once registered and in line for care, the
most outspoken of the patients became sweet and tame.
Our
volunteers saw about 1,125 patients and referred 35 for cataract surgery to the
ophthalmology residency program at the University of Haiti Medical School in
Port-au-Prince. Unfortunately they are not equipped to provide tertiary care
for glaucoma patients so we could only provide them with a year's supply of
glaucoma medication and our good wishes. We successfully treated several trachoma
cases, most notably a seven-year-old who returned for a follow-up the next day
and was essentially clear. As is VOSH policy, we instructed the family on the
necessity of good personal hygiene as the best way to combat this condition.
We
did one remote village clinic on our last day in Noé, a very poor
community with few resources. The living conditions were the worst that I
personally encountered in all my ten trips to Haiti. Our team made the best of
it and did great work despite the circumstances.
On
this mission, we were fortunate to have a Surgical Eye Expedition (SEE)
physician from Harvard University, Paul Cotran. Dr. Cotran is a fellowship
trained glaucoma specialist and educator. He stayed with the group for two clinic
days and then moved on to the hospital at the university to tend to the
cataract patients we had referred. It is important to note that I saw some of
the worst glaucoma sufferers that I have ever come across. At least six
patients were totally cupped out and stone cold blind. As Dr. Cotran and I
began to see these people and others with emerging glaucoma, we became
increasingly frustrated with our inability to provide proper care for them.
We
came to the conclusion that Haitian eye surgeons and ophthalmology residents
needed to be trained to do more complex and lasting procedures to treat
glaucoma. We need to make this care geographically available to
the people, perhaps at yet-to-be created Centers of Excellence
located in north, central, and southern Haiti. Spaced about 100 miles apart
these centers could bring glaucoma care closer to the people. The discussion
broadened by taking it online and to various national and international
glaucoma experts for extra input and suggestions. A plan began to evolve that
centered on ways to best treat for long-term wellness and to also train local
ophthalmologists to provide the care needed. It is most important that we stay
at the forefront of this exciting new effort.
Finally, we
are indebted to the wonderful group of volunteers that made this trip.
They were spectacular under difficult conditions. They never faltered; they
only asked what else they could do. I don't understand how we are so fortunate
to be blessed by this quality volunteerism but we, as an organization, must
recognize, treasure, and when possible, reward them.
For
more information about VOSH PA, visit www.vosh-pa.com.
