The purpose of this project was to partner and build a medical clinic in the city of Canaan which would provide primary care services to the residents of the city. A collaboration was seeked between National Association of Indian Nurses of America and United Light of Hope a non profit based organization involved in medical mission work in Haiti. A community need assessment tool was utilized to assess the needs of the identified city in Haiti.
Objective:
1.To build a clinic to provide Primary care services to the community.
2. Implement a needs assessment survey of the community.
3. Train and equip local health care provider to render basic health care services to the community
Methods:
The Advance Practice Committee of National Association Of Indian nurses of America set a goal to complete a medical mission during the office term 2017-2018. During a brain storming session, the possibility of partnering with United light of hope 501(c) 3 organization was explored. The Local chapter of Indian Nurses of Greater Houston ( INAGH) were the main stake holders along with the National Association of Indian Nurses of America( NAINA) in raising funds to build the Clinic of Hope in the city of Canaan in Haiti. A proposal was submitted to the Board of Directors, funds were approved and the drive for raising funds through non-profit organization was initiated. Dates for the medical mission were scheduled From January 23rd , 2018 to January 30th 2018. The Clinic of Hope was built and financial support for the project was raised by INAGH. Team of Seven Volunteers arrived in Haiti on January 23rd. Medical mission camps were conducted , Primary care was provided to men, women and children of the local community. Needs assessment survey was conducted through home visits. Local community members were trained to provide Basic Cardio Pulmonary resuscitation ( CPR) Education on basic topics like Hygiene, hand-washing, breast feeding, safe sex, nutrition was imparted. The work in this clinic continues with support from funds raised from local communities and national Association of Indian nurses of America. The clinic is currently run by two local health care providers and local community health workers.
Results:
During the seven day medical mission , 400 patients were provided with primary care of which 120 were men 172 women and 102 children. Common diagnosis among children was scabies, ear infection and malnutrition. Newborn and children had no access to immunization. There was a high incidence of teenage pregnancy. Hypertension was most common among men and women. Most women had anemia and large number of women had vaginal infection.
The community survey indicated that there was no source of safe drinking water. Houses were made of tin roof with potential of flooding during the rains. Water was stored in reservoirs for consumption. Few homes had electricity. There was one school in the local area where children were given basic education to read and write. The staple food is rice and bean and most Haitians eat only one meal a day.
Implication:
Lack of health care resources resulted in high incidence of skin infection, vaginal infection , hypertension and anemia. Providing basic health care through the clinic and health education could reduce the rate of infection and disease among men, women and children. A water reservoir has been built in the clinic , so that families can access safe drinking water.
Conclusion:
Repeat medical missions can contribute to provide primary care to the population of the community. Utilizing the STTMs can improve the quality of care provided by missions, and stimulate solution sharing and service learning