Interesting thread here...
I just got back from my medical mission in Haiti where I worked closely with the Floating Doctors for a month at the Henri Desgranges Clinic in Petit Goave. I wanted to see what stories had been written about them and came across this blog. The administrator of the clinic brought me down to volunteer, and I was happy to meet Dr. Ben and the crew who showed me great hospitality and kindness.
The things I find most problematic about this thread are the comments about the Southern Wind's crew being ineffective in their work in Haiti. Having directly worked alongside them, I can say that they are working their asses off.
I was at the exact clinic in Petit Goave in March, before the F.D.'s arrived. The clinic was outdoors, seeing hundreds of patients a day with just two doctors and two EMTs. There were 6 different medications in our pharmacy to treat a host of infections and diseases. There was no record-keeping and no established way to track patient care.
I returned this May to find the clinic wholly changed to the credit of the FDs. Say what you want about their boat and their sailing knowledge, but Dr. Ben and the crew turned this clinic a complete 180. The clinic had been moved indoors, and had a magnificently stocked pharmacy, along with orthopedic equipment and other supplies.
A system was in place to track patient care and write prescriptions in way that could be communicated to future caregivers. A minor OR was established with all the tools and sterile equipment needed- about two minor surgeries were performed a day.
Lots of wild accusations on here about Dr. Ben’s credentials in Ireland. He is in fact an MD, much like the other doctors in Haiti from the Czech, Canada, France, Spain and other countries. One doesn’t need to be a US doctor to deliver healthcare… I honestly didn’t meet a single doctor in either of my trips to Haiti with an MD from the US, most are licensed in Europe. I don’t doubt their qualifications any more than I question Bens- although I am biased since he kept me healthy throughput my trip.
As for those of us not licensed to give medicine, we did not prescribe. There is plenty of work someone familiar with medicine can do within their paygrade. For example, I triaged patients, asking questions in Creole to tease out symptoms that Ben could then diagnose. (Ben picked up Creole incredibly fast and didn’t use a translator!) The other students and medical professionals without an MD did other tasks like filling prescriptions or helping Ben write out paperwork while he interviewed the patients.
I barely recognized the smooth-running clinic that had been revamped by Ben and the crew.
Of course, not every case could be treated at the clinic. For severe illness and injury, referrals were made to the Red Cross hospital. With these patients, we had to send antibiotics and other drugs with them because the clinicians dispensed drugs irregularly due to an unreliably stocked pharmacy.
As for the schoolhouses, I chuckled when I read about it being unfinished... The schools are indeed finished. The students and teachers had already moved the blackboards and desks inside them and were teaching by the time I left on June 16. Noah and Nick Larson did a great job working alongside Haitian volunteers building them. During my time in Petit Goave, these schoolhouses were the only structures I had seen built.
I understand the criticism, and it’s good and appropriate to hold NGOs like the Floating Doctors accountable for their actions and operations. Having said that, it is entirely different to flame the FDs with wild accusations of hurting Haitians, or being unqualified, or leaving the schools unfinished, or even that Ryan Mc has to leave because he didn’t have his immunization card (he’ll be just fine without it).
These guys are working hard as hell, and doing great work. Before they leave Haiti for another country in crippling poverty, Dr. Ben and the crew have ensured that the clinic is up and running exponentially better than they found it. Now, instead of foreign doctors, the clinic has hired a Haitian MD, Haitian nurses, and Haitian pharmacists. More important than the thousands of patients Dr. Ben has seen is the assistance and guidance they provided to make the clinic self-sustainable.
I hope that this post clears up some questions and concerns from the point of view of someone not in the FDs, but who worked directly alongside them. If you’d prefer to donate to Partner in Health, please do- they’re an excellent organization (I’m a huge fan of Paul Farmer!), but the Floating Doctors have done an excellent job in Haiti as well, and I look forward to hearing about their next mission.