Medical Report by Dr. Mike Lawrie
What an experience the past week was for me. I enjoyed working with 29 exceptional people, seeing what a difference dedicated individuals with commitment and vision can make and being open to a totally new experience. I wanted to present some of my thoughts and observations on the role of the medical clinics and the amazing contribution of Dr. Lambert S. Emmanuel. Many of you may have heard parts of this report from my verbal reports on the bus and elsewhere.
Dr. Lambert is of Haitian descent and is from a poor background. His mother has moved to Texas and he has relatives in New York and friends in Nova Scotia. He had recently completed his certificate of competency for treating HIV/AIDS patients in Texas. He is fully aware that he could earn much more in the USA or Canada but he has dedicated his career to helping the poor and disadvantaged. Dr. Lambert is polished, empathic, multi-lingual and a skilled physician. With a quick and efficient manner he treats his patients while being mindful of their poverty and the difficulty in paying for any tests and treatments. Therefore, he is able to rapidly diagnose and to move to treatment in a highly cost effective way. He seems to sort out the one or two tests that are critical to making a clear diagnosis and can arrange to have them done locally in most cases. Ultrasounds and X-rays are sent to the public hospital in Puerto Plata. He knows how to access the emergency care for his critically sick patients and can dispatch the most ill to the appropriate level of care.
My involvement with him included a half day at his clinic in Cangrejo and two half days at the Esperanza Medical Clinic (Dr. Umberto Hart). The scope of patients seen is diverse and often complex. His preamble to me was perhaps shocking but suggested that the contagion and infection- parasites, Tb, AIDS, Dengue and many others might be a bit risky and emotionally trying on me. I suggested that I would do what might be necessary for my protection but wanted to see his cases. His morning list included an elderly man with diabetes and non healing wounds subsequent to a motorcycle accident that he was rinsing and dressing on a daily basis, a young man with a 2 month old gunshot wound to his chest that was slow to heal, continued to drain and would need surgery, a teenage girl in his infirmary getting IV antibiotics for pyelonephritis ( a kidney infection), numerous parasite infections such as amebiasis and toxoplasmosis, pregnancy complications with high blood pressure, Syphilis in a man who probably had HIV, numerous sick infants and children and a case of Dengue fever. More injections of medications are done onsite than in Canada.
The Esperanza Medical Clinic was a superb facility in its layout, resources and staff support.The funding for this facility came from the Journey 2008 team and it was a delightful surprise to see the finished product after the construction start last year. During the clinic operating hours the entrance was controlled by Dr. Lambert's assistant, Cedric, RN Anna did a preliminary work up on each patient and performed the necessary tests post visit, Tina was the manager - coordinator and the dispensary was staffed by Phil and Gerry from Colorado. The environment was clean, bright and spacious. The supplies in the dispensary seemed fairly comprehensive with many donated sample packs and a lot of stock bottles of frequently used medications. The community of Los Algodones that is served by the clinic is a crowded , desperate village with 200 families struggling to survive. The patients were polite, modest, very respectful and generally clean and well dressed. The spectrum of problems seen was similar to the clinic in Cangrejo but there was more health maintenance such as blood pressure checks and contraceptive advice.
The fact that the clinic sprang from nothing one year ago is a credit to Elio Madonia and the many generous donors and enthusiastic volunteers that have helped the Samaritan Foundation achieve another key objective. The medical clinic is a vital piece of this community which should help it toevolve from poverty to a safe, clean place for families to live and grow.
Dr. Lambert is a realist and a visionary. In my discussions with him I have had a chance to see some of his goals for his people. One of his frequent messages to the patients is that since they are all living in the Dominican Republic, they should learn to speak Spanish ( they mostly speak Creole). He is working hard to see that the clinic be certified by the Dominican Public Health officials. This will mean that extended services such as free vaccines for the children will be available. The need for minor procedures, a more extensive drug stock and expanded diagnostic services also are included on his wish list. His passionate words to the group on February 9 during the house and shop dedication showed his love for his work and his dedication to serve the poor. Dr. Lambert was most grateful for the 27,000 pesos to purchase difficult to get medications. He was honoured to meet our leader, Julie Kinder and to connect with so many members of the Journey 2009 team.
The opportunity and privilege of working with him was a high point in my career and this excursion. I have connected with a special dedicated physician and hope to use some of my resources to contribute to this important work. It is my hope to continue as the medical liaison with the Esperanza Clinic and to also be available as Dr. Mike to Journey 2010.