Haiti P&O update 3.12.2010
Al Ingersoll
Description
Collection
Title:
Haiti P&O update 3.12.2010
Creator:
Al Ingersoll
Date:
3/12/2010
Text:
Dear Colleagues,
I have just returned from Haiti and would like to update on the prosthetic
and orthotic situation; which continues to evolve rapidly.
The International Committee of the Red Cross Peter Poetsma CPO and Handicap
International's Heinz Trebbin CPO and I assessed the current facilities,
organizations involved and mid-term plans. After hearing up to 20 different
organizations are currently open or in planning stages we decided to visit
the operational facilities in or near Port au Prince. Five labs are now
completely operational in Haiti, with three in Port au Prince. A national
plan for P&O education has been drafted and is being reviewed.
I will be moving to Haiti the first week in April to assume a technical
advisory role to the Haitian Ministry of Health.
Technology / Components ranges from prefabricated prosthetics to completely
custom devices. The ICRC & Endolite Atlas componentry will be recommended as
the minimum standard, with new and gently used 30mm as another option. At
this point the Jaipur foot technology will not be recommended. Please
coordinate components through the US-ISPO Prosthetic and Orthotic Component
Clearinghouse (www.usispo.org)
I want to stress the IMPORTANCE of working within a Haitian registered
organization. No credentialed P&O professional would just show up in
another country and start fitting people; so why is it happening in Haiti?
Plenty of capacity is being developed to take care of Haitian's with
amputations and orthotic needs; I saw no evidence for bringing to the US /
Canada.
Please respect the Haitian people and especially those with amputations /
injuries. Please shut off your cameras, stop reporting every detail on
Facebook / YouTube / Blogs and be prepared for the conditions! Show up to
volunteer dressed in tropical business casual; ask about family and friends
and how you can help; not how you are going to change THEIR country.
Take care,
Al
Al Ingersoll, BA, CP
Winkley Prosthetics, Orthotics & Pedorthics
740 Douglas Drive North
Golden Valley MN 55422 USA
Ph. 763-546-1177 Fax 763-847-9508
1-800-Winkley Direct to VM 763-252-1128
<Email Address Redacted>
www.Winkley.com
I have just returned from Haiti and would like to update on the prosthetic
and orthotic situation; which continues to evolve rapidly.
The International Committee of the Red Cross Peter Poetsma CPO and Handicap
International's Heinz Trebbin CPO and I assessed the current facilities,
organizations involved and mid-term plans. After hearing up to 20 different
organizations are currently open or in planning stages we decided to visit
the operational facilities in or near Port au Prince. Five labs are now
completely operational in Haiti, with three in Port au Prince. A national
plan for P&O education has been drafted and is being reviewed.
I will be moving to Haiti the first week in April to assume a technical
advisory role to the Haitian Ministry of Health.
Technology / Components ranges from prefabricated prosthetics to completely
custom devices. The ICRC & Endolite Atlas componentry will be recommended as
the minimum standard, with new and gently used 30mm as another option. At
this point the Jaipur foot technology will not be recommended. Please
coordinate components through the US-ISPO Prosthetic and Orthotic Component
Clearinghouse (www.usispo.org)
I want to stress the IMPORTANCE of working within a Haitian registered
organization. No credentialed P&O professional would just show up in
another country and start fitting people; so why is it happening in Haiti?
Plenty of capacity is being developed to take care of Haitian's with
amputations and orthotic needs; I saw no evidence for bringing to the US /
Canada.
Please respect the Haitian people and especially those with amputations /
injuries. Please shut off your cameras, stop reporting every detail on
Facebook / YouTube / Blogs and be prepared for the conditions! Show up to
volunteer dressed in tropical business casual; ask about family and friends
and how you can help; not how you are going to change THEIR country.
Take care,
Al
Al Ingersoll, BA, CP
Winkley Prosthetics, Orthotics & Pedorthics
740 Douglas Drive North
Golden Valley MN 55422 USA
Ph. 763-546-1177 Fax 763-847-9508
1-800-Winkley Direct to VM 763-252-1128
<Email Address Redacted>
www.Winkley.com
Citation
Al Ingersoll, “Haiti P&O update 3.12.2010,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed December 24, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/231266.
