Updates on Prosthetic Rehabilitation in Haiti/Components
Rob Kistenberg
Description
Collection
Title:
Updates on Prosthetic Rehabilitation in Haiti/Components
Creator:
Rob Kistenberg
Date:
2/3/2010
Text:
Global Community,
USAID hosted an NGO conference call on Tuesday, February 1st regarding
Persons with Disabilities: Response and Recovery Efforts. Of note from this
call:
.. The World Health Organization has requested that Handicap
International (HI) and Christian Blind Mission take the lead in forming a
sub-group on disability that will focus on the coordination of assistance
for Haitians suffering from traumatic injuries leading to both short term
and permanent disability. (HI is working closely with Healing Hands for
Haiti.)
.. No records of amputation surgeries were kept in the first week,
but based on surgical records since then, it is estimated that there have
been between 2,000 - 4,000 amputations as a result of fractures and
infections.
.. During a recent meeting in Haiti at least 7 separate organizations
indicated plans to work with prosthetics
.. The priority need now is for wheelchairs and crutches for those
with bilateral amputations, bilateral fractures and external fixators.
.. For now those in charge of coordinating this effort are strongly
advising that groups don't send donations without coordinating with the
subgroup. There is a group working with the Haitian government to
coordinate efforts.
The goal is to establish some agreed guidelines so that ALL people fitted
with prosthetics will be able to be treated and have them repaired anywhere
in the country.
This means that recycled components will have uncertain value in the
rehabilitation of Haiti's Amputee Population. Until the course has been
charted, coordination established and donations have been approved by the
working subgroup on Prosthetics in Haiti, please do not send recycled
components.
More information can be found at <URL Redacted> or through
www.healinghandsforhaiti.org.
We need to work together to build a system for P&O Rehabilitation in Haiti.
Additional details as to the strategy for the provision of P&O
rehabilitation services will be forthcoming in the next week or so.
Regards,
Robert S. Kistenberg, MPH, CP, LP, FAAOP
Chair,
US National Member Society of ISPO
USAID hosted an NGO conference call on Tuesday, February 1st regarding
Persons with Disabilities: Response and Recovery Efforts. Of note from this
call:
.. The World Health Organization has requested that Handicap
International (HI) and Christian Blind Mission take the lead in forming a
sub-group on disability that will focus on the coordination of assistance
for Haitians suffering from traumatic injuries leading to both short term
and permanent disability. (HI is working closely with Healing Hands for
Haiti.)
.. No records of amputation surgeries were kept in the first week,
but based on surgical records since then, it is estimated that there have
been between 2,000 - 4,000 amputations as a result of fractures and
infections.
.. During a recent meeting in Haiti at least 7 separate organizations
indicated plans to work with prosthetics
.. The priority need now is for wheelchairs and crutches for those
with bilateral amputations, bilateral fractures and external fixators.
.. For now those in charge of coordinating this effort are strongly
advising that groups don't send donations without coordinating with the
subgroup. There is a group working with the Haitian government to
coordinate efforts.
The goal is to establish some agreed guidelines so that ALL people fitted
with prosthetics will be able to be treated and have them repaired anywhere
in the country.
This means that recycled components will have uncertain value in the
rehabilitation of Haiti's Amputee Population. Until the course has been
charted, coordination established and donations have been approved by the
working subgroup on Prosthetics in Haiti, please do not send recycled
components.
More information can be found at <URL Redacted> or through
www.healinghandsforhaiti.org.
We need to work together to build a system for P&O Rehabilitation in Haiti.
Additional details as to the strategy for the provision of P&O
rehabilitation services will be forthcoming in the next week or so.
Regards,
Robert S. Kistenberg, MPH, CP, LP, FAAOP
Chair,
US National Member Society of ISPO
Citation
Rob Kistenberg, “Updates on Prosthetic Rehabilitation in Haiti/Components,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/231215.
