News

22 February:
Read blog of CMF member Dr Abigail Boys about her recent trip to Haiti

16 February: Haiti Hospital Appeal have sent out two medical teams to their project in the north of the country, each team staying for two weeks to work alongside the Haitian doctors in their clinic. They have been building a hospital over the past few months and when the earthquake struck, the two buildings which were intended to be a maternity unit were converted into a surgical ward and a basic operating theatre in order to receive patients. They now have 50 inpatients, many of them are amputees and many have severe wounds and pressure sores needing care.

Another team will leave next week and they plan to send further teams as personnel are available. The needs will go on into the future.

They are looking for

• A&E nurses
• Orthopaedic and neurosurgeons
• Physiotherapists
• Psychologist/psychiatrist

For further information contact martin@haitihospitalappeal.org

CMF member Chris Lewis is an emergency health advisor for Save the Children Fund.

He writes from Haiti...

1 February
'Work starts at 7 or 8 every morning and finishes at around 11 or 12pm – everyone in the team is going on all cylinders to get the necessary help to the population, and start to see an impact.'
Read his blog at www.savethechildren.org.uk/blogs/?p=4539

27 January
'When I first arrive, my initial impression is of the immensity of the disaster. Every Haitian is affected personally. It's also incredibly difficult to tackle this emergency, despite the huge international presence on ground, due to the impact of the earthquake on the health workers, the organisations previously operating on-the-ground, the government and the infrastructure (roads etc,). Everyone and everything is affected in some way.'
Read his blog at www.savethechildren.org.uk/blogs/?p=4464

Haiti Hospital needs staff

The situation remains desperate – an estimated 200,000 people have died, 300,000 are homeless and tens of thousands of children have been orphaned. At least eight hospitals in Port-au-Prince have collapsed. The emergency response is being coordinated by the Pan American Health Organisation. There are 43 search-and-rescue teams in operation and over 40 organisations providing healthcare.

Staff needed
Haiti Hospital Appeal is a Christian organisation based in UK who have been working in northern Haiti for the past two years. They run a clinic, a children's home and are building a hospital which is now receiving refugees from the earthquake zone.

They need:

• A&E doctors and nurses
• Orthopaedic and trauma surgeons

Could you go to assist?

The UK Department of Health advises against individuals going to assist unless they are working with a registered agency – Haiti Hospital Appeal is an established, local organisation working with the Haitian government and can use volunteers effectively. If you would like further information, contact martin@haitihospitalappeal.org

Helping Haiti - 18 January 2010

Following the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday 12 January, causing tragic loss of life and massive destruction, CMF members have been asking how we should respond to this disaster.

The UK Department of Health reports that the initial acute medical response is now well underway with 14 field hospitals, one US hospital ship and 800 Cuban doctors. The UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) Team leader has announced that other than those teams already en route, no further Search and Rescue (SAR) teams are currently required.

CMF is therefore encouraging members primarily to:

Pray for all involved

Give via the following routes:
Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) - representing UK agencies responding
International Health Partners - supplying drug packs
CMDA - our US sister organisation

The Department of Health has advised that individuals should not try to go to assist unless registered with an agency which is part of the Global Health Cluster response. However, if you have the appropriate language (French), skills and experience you can contact aid agencies for inclusion on their roster:

Médecins Sans Frontières
Merlin
Save the Children

Meanwhile regular updates are available on the evolving situation at:
BBC
DFID
WHO

In the midst of this tragedy there are encouraging reports of local Christians being at the forefront of aid and relief, and of Christians praising God in the disaster:

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1)

Peter Saunders
CMF Chief Executive

Vicky Lavy
CMF Head of International Ministries

For further information:

Dr Peter Saunders (CMF Chief Executive) 020 7234 9660
Dr Andrew Fergusson (CMF Head of Communications) 020 7234 9675

Media Enquiries:

CMF Office on 020 7234 9675

About CMF:

Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) was founded in 1949 and is an interdenominational organisation with over 4,500 British doctor members in all branches of medicine. A registered charity, it is linked to about 60 similar bodies in other countries throughout the world.

The CMF exists to unite Christian doctors to pursue the highest ethical standards in Christian and professional life and to increase faith in Christ and acceptance of his ethical teaching.