MDA activities in Haiti

Written by: Shira Katiy

In January 2010, following the horrendous earthquake in Haiti, MDA launched a broad aid program, mobilizing resources and professionals to the affected area. Over 2 million people were affected by the earthquake.

As part of the immediate response, medical and logistic support teams were sent, providing urgent care to thousands injured in the field hospitals.

A month after the earthquake, due to the tremendous needs of the population, MDA, the JDC and Sheba Medical Center launched a needs assessment delegation towards creating a long-term orthopedic rehabilitation project.

MDA, the JDC and Sheba Medical Center drew a triennial plan which led to the establishment of a rehabilitation center in the governmental hospital (HUEH) in the capital Port Au Prince.

Since April 2010 rotations of Israeli teams are deployed to the newly established rehabilitation center. The teams are consisted of orthopedics, physiotherapists, occupational therapy experts and prosthetic technicians.

The Israeli professionals train and work jointly with Haitian medical staff.  In joint efforts they improve the medical response given, and raise the Haitian capacities. The treatment is delivered in a well-equipped facility, using advanced appliances which were purchased specifically for the center.

Together they measure and fit prosthetics and support the patients through their new steps in regaining basic physical functions.

Aiming at facilitate a more complementary service, LandsAid donated prosthetics workshop. The generous donation included: machinery and 120 pre-made prosthetics along with services of proficient prosthetic technicians who set-up the workshop and manufacture prosthesis.

Laying the foundations for a steady manufacturing process, the technicians guide and qualify local technicians while. 

The Orthopedic Rehabilitation Center and Prosthetics Workshop were officially inaugurated in November 2010.

At present, the project provides professional, comprehensive and immediate medical care to many amputees in Haiti.