Prosthetic Availability in Haiti
High Amputation Rate in Haiti: Current and Potential Solutions
Background
On January 12th 2010, Haiti was hit by a significantly powerful earthquake. The magnitude was recorded at a 7.0 on the Richter scale. The death toll was estimated to be over 100,000 people (Cooper 2010). After the earthquake, many deaths and injuries occurred due to the poorly built homes and buildings. These accidents happened from the weak infrastructures of buildings and homes collapsing in on the people. Many difficulties faced the injured Haitian survivors. A large amount of the population suffered from a condition called crush syndrome. Crush syndrome occurs when a large object is lifted off a limb and circulation is restored. After it is lifted bodily fluids incorrectly flow through the affected limb, as protein was destroyed, the body stores it in an extravascular space which can be very dangerous to the victim. This “crush syndrome” increases the chance of kidney failure and also cardiac problems, not to mention the chance of infection on open wounds (QuakeHaiti.info 2010).
28 year old Rosemene Josiane trapped in the rubble from her house. She suffered severe damage to her leg and required amputation.
28 year old Rosemene Josiane trapped in the rubble from her house. She suffered severe damage to her leg and required amputation.
Problem In Haiti, the patients that suffer from crush related injuries do not have the available medical resources to treat their injuries. If Haiti was able to, a hospital could simply provide intravenous fluids with surgical assistance to prevent kidney failure and irreversible damage to the affected limb or limbs (QuakeHaiti.info 2010). Unfortunately the government and people of Haiti do not have the funding to provide what could be simple medical treatments to prevent serious health conditions. Without money, victims only have one option to prevent crush injuries from killing them and that is amputation of the affected limb.
Background
On January 12th 2010, Haiti was hit by a significantly powerful earthquake. The magnitude was recorded at a 7.0 on the Richter scale. The death toll was estimated to be over 100,000 people (Cooper 2010). After the earthquake, many deaths and injuries occurred due to the poorly built homes and buildings. These accidents happened from the weak infrastructures of buildings and homes collapsing in on the people. Many difficulties faced the injured Haitian survivors. A large amount of the population suffered from a condition called crush syndrome. Crush syndrome occurs when a large object is lifted off a limb and circulation is restored. After it is lifted bodily fluids incorrectly flow through the affected limb, as protein was destroyed, the body stores it in an extravascular space which can be very dangerous to the victim. This “crush syndrome” increases the chance of kidney failure and also cardiac problems, not to mention the chance of infection on open wounds (QuakeHaiti.info 2010).
28 year old Rosemene Josiane trapped in the rubble from her house. She suffered severe damage to her leg and required amputation.
28 year old Rosemene Josiane trapped in the rubble from her house. She suffered severe damage to her leg and required amputation.
Problem In Haiti, the patients that suffer from crush related injuries do not have the available medical resources to treat their injuries. If Haiti was able to, a hospital could simply provide intravenous fluids with surgical assistance to prevent kidney failure and irreversible damage to the affected limb or limbs (QuakeHaiti.info 2010). Unfortunately the government and people of Haiti do not have the funding to provide what could be simple medical treatments to prevent serious health conditions. Without money, victims only have one option to prevent crush injuries from killing them and that is amputation of the affected limb.
Cited: “Why Amputations? | QuakeHaiti.info.” 24 Jan. 2010. Web. 7 Nov. 2012. “Healing Hands for Haiti > Our Work > Prosthetic/Orthotic Workshop ( DNN 4.9.4 ).” Web. 7 Nov. 2012. Cressey, Daniel. “Disaster Doctors May Be Using the Wrong Drugs : Nature News.” 22 Dec. 2010. Web. 7 Nov. 2012. Kaufman, Susie. “Prosthetic Limbs for Haiti Earthquake Survivors // Current TV.” Web. 7 Nov. 2012. Moreira, Marvin. “The Polus Center for Social and Economic Development.” Web. 7 Nov. 2012. Preston, Caroline, and Nicole Wallace. “Haiti Earthquake Relief: How Much Charities Have Raised and Spent - News - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the Nonprofit World with News, Jobs, and Ideas.” 10 Jan. 2011. Web. 7 Nov. 2012. Shamoon, Evan. “Students Create $20 Prosthetic Leg -- and It Works!” Switched. 20 Apr. 2009. Web. 7 Nov. 2012. Sitek, Alison. 2004. Web. 7 Nov. 2012. Smith, Jeremiah. “Candaian Scientist Recieves Grant to Continue Developing Low-cost Prosthetic.” Web.7 Nov. 2012. Wyss, Jim. “S. Florida Gets down to Business Rebuilding Haiti.” Sun Sentinel. 8 Mar. 2010. Web. 7 Nov. 2012.