Репортаж с Гаити: 3 месяца спустя...

Наиболее наглядные разрушения пришлись на столицу, город Порт-о-Пренс, гре расположен Фонд Диабета и Сердечно-сосудистых заболеваний острова Гаити, ассоциация-член Международной Федерации Диабета.

Miraculously, with only a few cracks and minor damage, the Foundation survived the quake. If the building had been destroyed, the news we would be delivering would be very different. Thanks to close contact with FHADIMAC project coordinator Dr Nancy Larco, we are happy to report that the Foundation and its volunteers have been able to help victims of the quake who needed urgent medical care for diabetes and other chronic diseases. Aid efforts were carried out within the first few days of the earthquake, and have continued to this day.

FHADIMAC was the only organization in Haiti that was dedicated to providing help for people with chronic diseases following the disaster. Soon after the earthquake, FHADIMAC opened its doors and gave medical attention, biological tests and medication free of charge to those in need. FHADIMAC has helped more than 1,000 people, many of whom returned for follows-ups. Some 75% of those assisted had diabetes, 55% had high blood pressure, and 50% had both conditions.

The International Diabetes Association and Insulin for Life (IFL) quickly sprung into action to help our member association in Port-au-Prince. In collaboration with IFL, batches of insulin and emergency supplies were sent to Dr Larco. IDF also set up the Haiti Diabetes Trust Fund to collect donations from individuals and organizations to help those in need. The money collected has been used to support people with diabetes during the emergency and will contribute to rebuild services for the more than 300,000 people with diabetes in Haiti in the longer term.

Thanks to the efforts of IDF and IFL, and the support from member associations, corporate partners, organizations and individuals from around the world, FHADIMAC and its volunteers have been able to continue services already established and provide help to people with diabetes and the hypertensive community in Haiti.

On 13 March, Dr Nancy Larco and Dr Philippe Larco travelled to Lille, France to meet with IDF President Jean Claude Mbanya, who personally thanked the doctors and FHADIMAC for their dedication and hard work in the months following the quake.

“Without the availability and determination of the staff and doctors at our association in Haiti, victims of the quake in dire need of medical attention would have had nowhere to turn to. Thanks to the great efforts of Dr Nancy Larco and Dr Philippe Larco, and those who generously donated, the thousands of people with diabetes in Haiti are getting the help they need,” Prof Mbanya said.

In order to help people with diabetes to continue to manage their condition after the disaster, FHADIMAC has worked to ensure the constant availability of medical supplies and new educational material. The next steps are to provide psychological support to peope with diabetes and their families, increase the Foundation’s storage capacity, establish a mobile clinic and evaluate the needs of other health centres across Port-au-Prince and the countryside.

In the long-term, the goal is to establish autonomous health centres throughout the country for the control of diabetes and to create a network between all healthcare centers in Haiti. FHADIMAC is still looking for funding or donations of materials in order to make these projects happen. If you would like to help and need more details, please feel free to contact FHADIMAC at fhadimac@hotmail.com or visit www.fhadimac.org.

Оригинал на сайте IDF