Update for Handicap International: Haiti on February 6, 2010

Submitted by kansas88 on Sat, 2010-02-06 16:07
in
Project: 
Handicap International: Haiti
Date of Occurrence: 
Sat, 2010-02-06
Source: 
http://www.handicap-international.us/in-the-world/states-of-intervention/programs/?dechi_programmes%5Bselpays%5D=72&dechi_programmes%5Bmode%5D=actus&dechi_programmes%5Bactu%5D=220&cHash=87b191eef6
Your Association with Named Organization: 
No Association

More than 2,000 amputees estimated in Haiti
Handicap International staff help a patient with an amputated left leg to stand.
© William Daniels for Handicap International

Handicap International's health team in Haiti, which has been treating massive numbers of injuries, estimates there are now more than 2,000 amputees because of injuries sustained in the earthquake, up from Monday's estimate of 1,000. While continuing to provide emergency assistance, Handicap International is also planning long-term action to treat the wounded and support their recovery.

To provide care for the maximum number of injured people, Handicap International currently has about 30 rehabilitation and health staff split into six mobile health care teams providing care for the injured. Staff is expected to increase to around 100 people in approximately two to three weeks.

In Port-au-Prince, two of Handicap International's mobile health teams, composed of rehabilitation specialists, are providing care in eight hospitals, where only the most severe injuries are treated due to the massive influx of wounded people. The majority of operations are amputations. Some patients with closed fractures are being asked to leave until the most urgent cases are treated first. Based on information gathered by Handicap International staff and partner organizations, there are currently an estimated 2,000 amputees in Port-au-Prince, up from Monday's estimate of 1,000.

With the agreement of hospital officials, Handicap International's teams are providing postoperative rehabilitation care, distributing walking aids and orthopedic equipment and are establishing a long-term follow-up system for patients.

Four other Handicap International mobile rehabilitation teams are working within four of the poorest neighborhoods in the capital -- Carrefour, Carrefour Feuilles, Christ-Roi and Pétionville-- to provide care and distribute walking aids to camps of people left homeless by the earthquake and other vulnerable groups.

Status: 
Confirmed