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Glory Clinic in Haiti
Geehr
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Medical relief (53%)
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Health Clinic Brings Medical Relief to Haiti
Dr. Geehr, Volunteers and Orphans Celebrate Clinic
Opening
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By Edward C. Geehr, M.D., Lifescript Chief Medical Officer
More than 2-1/2 years ago, I had just completed a week of treating patients in one of the many
underserved regions in rural Haiti. Then, as we hauled our gear in 98-degree heat from the tin
shack that served as our mobile clinic that day, the idea struck me: “We need a clinic,” I told the
weary assembly of volunteers.
Two weeks ago, thanks to the generosity of LifeScript, we opened Klinik Tout Bel Pouvwa
(Glory Clinic) and saw our first patients.
Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere – and yet just a two-hour plane
ride from Miami – is still struggling to recover from the massive earthquake of 2010. The
world’s attention has long since shifted from the island’s devastation and poverty. But Haitians
battle a dilapidated infrastructure and sluggish bureaucracies each day to obtain healthcare.
After returning from the second of many visits to provide medical relief in remote Haitian
villages, I sat down with LifeScript’s CEO, Ron Caporale, to discuss the concept of a clinic. Ron
was enthusiastic from the start and asked that I develop a plan.
First we needed a site. Our partners in Haiti had taken in 52 orphans after the earthquake and
were also looking for a plot of land to build an orphanage. The partners selected 2-1/2 acres in
the far southwest area of Haiti, just 1/4- mile from the ocean. It was purchased with grants from a
U.S. nonprofit organization. The land is flat, fertile, has a shallow water table for wells and
stands adjacent to a passable dirt road. The clinic was given a plot near the entrance to the
property.
Working with our Haitian partners, several U.S. physicians, a dentist and volunteers with
construction backgrounds, we drew up a plan for the clinic building. The facility needed to
handle a large volume of patients when U.S. medical and dental teams are on site, and include
ample space under a covered porch where patients and families can wait out of the direct sun. An
open floor plan would allow for multiple uses when the clinic was not in session – large interior
spaces are a rarity in rural Haiti.
Access to water, drainage, septic systems and wiring for power (by generator, solar or line
transmission) were essential. There had to be sinks near workstations, a pharmacy/storage area,
bathrooms and an office.
Importantly, the building needed to withstand the tropical storms and hurricanes that frequent the
island, but also naturally ventilate and dissipate the tropical heat.
Very cool building
Now the clinic is built. The walls are made of cinder block and reinforced with rebar and cement
for stability. Downward-sloping slat openings in the walls allow for light and ventilation, but
deflect the rain. Large doors open to the front, rear and side – toward the prevailing winds – to
encourage natural air circulation.
The roof is especially clever. An elaborate wood lattice spans the full width of the interior and
supports two sections of pitched aluminum roofing high above the tile floor. The upper roof
forms a clerestory – high windows above eye level – running the full length of the interior where
it overlaps the lower roof. The design allows hot air to rise and escape between the upper and
lower roofs, while funneling indirect light.
All 52 orphans living on our shared site helped with opening festivities. They posed in front of
the building, seemed completely comfortable in their new space, helped move furniture about,
sang songs and were the first to get medical services in the new clinic. We created medical
records for all the children and tried to get a handle on their developmental and health status.
They were in surprisingly good shape considering what they have been through.
A full-time native Haitian nurse has been hired to staff the clinic. She and I set up medical
equipment and supplies, took inventory, reviewed treatment protocols and examined the children
together.
As for the future, our nurse will care for the 52 children and support staff on site and be available
to the community to see emergencies on an as-needed basis. We’ll look to partner with
physicians and dentists both inside and outside of Haiti to extend care to nearby villages.
With time, I hope to train community health workers to help with outreach in remote
communities. I will also explore the use of telemedicine to support our nurse and other staff on
site via consultations from doctors in the U.S.
Thanks to Lifescript, we have a clinic. And it’s beautiful.