First day at Hopital Espoir

An early rise this morning took us to Hopital Espoir, a hospital here in PAP that, prior to the quake, was serving primarily a Pediatric and Obstetrical population.  Since the quake, their doors have obviously been open to everyone and the yards are filled with tents of people who were injured in the quake and being treated outside in those tents.  There has been a German Medical team (Humedica) here since three days after the quake..they have been sending in teams on a rotating basis.  Their primary focus has been orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation and they are committed to stay until all of their patients have recovered..it's really quite amazing.

As we were toured around the hospital, it was astonishing to see how many of the rooms are not being used.  The simple reason: people are afraid to stay indoors, and so many of them stay outside or on the lower levels of the hospital.

Our team divided into two groups today. One team began to attack a giant warehouse that is filled...and I mean FILLED with supplies that have been donated to the hosptial.  There just hasn't been time for the staff to sort through all of the boxes and donations and so this warehouse is sitting (two levels) full of gems that have yet to be uncovered.  The other half of us (including me), ran a Obstetrical/Gynecological clinic at the hospital and we saw about 23 women today.  It was very interesting to watch these women come in, with various complaints and some for regular prenatal check ups.  There were some women that found out today that they are pregnant and their faces were so sad and heavy when we gave them the news...it was not news they wanted to hear.  One other woman wanted her baby very much and yet as Dr. Dolorles searched for a fetal heart rate, there was not one to be found.  This woman had begun bleeding heavily last week and on this day we had to tell her that her baby was no more.  A very sad moment with such sorrow.  Then, there was the jovial, young Mom-to-be that scooted up on the exam table and referring to her baby, said, "I love it!".  Such joy for the healthy baby growing within her.  Another woman came to the clinic complaining of pelvic pain and shared with us that she used to have four children...now she only has two.  The emotions that toss back and forth while listening to these stories are yet to be absorbed.

 This is just a glimpse of the warehouse! As you can see, it's two levels and it is HUGE!

On the way out of the clinic, I stopped in the "baby ward" and began talking to a few of the Moms there (via translator, of course!).  I spent quite a bit of time with one Mom and her 3 day old baby boy, Eber.  The first thing she told us is that Eber "doesn't cry".  She began to tell her story and we heard that she has two other children who are living in one of the tent cities with other family while she stays at the hospital with Eber.  My heart ached when her eyes brimmed with tears and she told us that Eber's father was killed in the earthquake. Eber was clearly dehydrated and they did have him on an IV, which is good. He didn't breast feed though and although I could see him rooting a bit, he just didn't have the energy.  So...Dorlores and I worked with her, teaching her how to express her milk into a small medicine cup and then cup feed her baby.  He caught on a little bit, but it will take some major dedication for Mom to keep it up.  I do wonder if there is an underlying issue with Eber...his heart rate is much too low for a baby his age and he is profoundly lethargic.  It could simply be dehyration but it could also be related to more serious issues as well.  Time will tell for this little boy.

 I forgot to mention the lines of people this morning on the way to the hospital.  There were lines that went on for streets and streets.  It was later in the morning we found out this was for a food distribution point.  People have such needs.  Even Eber's Mother said to us, "I have no food".  Her family has no food to bring her and she receives nothing from the hospital.  Sometimes hope feels so small...but perhaps a glimpse of her baby beginning to take some milk today will bring that glimmer that is needed.