Medical Officer of Health

We were thrilled to have Dr David Allison come to our meeting last Monday. He had just returned from Haiti where he had just completed a tour with the Canadian Red Cross. He was working in a field hospital which was set up by Germany.

He had much to tell us, about security, health care and much more and I have enclosed some of our minutes of this meeting.

Discussion:

• Dr. Gillies welcomed everyone back and recognized that a number of our members were out of town and unable to attend.
• Dr. Gillies introduced Dr. David Allison Medical Director for Eastern Health. Dr. Allison had just returned from a 7 week tour of duty in Haiti and provided a valued review of issues that we may face as we go forward.

Dr. Allison’s Presentation:

• Dr. Allison had served with the German Red Cross in a field hospital located in a football stadium. He was very clear that what they were dealing is no longer earthquake related but a very inadequate health care system which was there before and still exists.

• The current relief efforts are a short term solution to a long term problem. How does the Red Cross finish up and leave when there is so much that will still need to be done. It is a concern they have and a reality that we need to deal with as we make our plans to provide relief.

• There is a high level of opportunism ongoing in Haiti. The high value of aid, supply and equipment coming into Haiti has developed a side economy based on fees and taxes to the process. An item may take months to clear customs and the fees could be very high. If we bring in donated equipment they will charge us an assessed value.

• There is an issue of competition in providing health care. Down the block from the Field Hospital is a functional Haitian Obstetrics Hospital which is not being fully utilized while the field hospital is treating OB cases. The field hospital provides free drugs and supplies and thereby is more attractive. That is a very significant issue as we would be operating in a fee for service environment.

• Crime and corruption is a real issue and needs to be dealt with on a very serious basis. The field hospital had armed guards at the entrance to the stadium plus inside armed guards at the compound where staff are accommodated. A goodly number of patients brought in are as a result of gun shots and stabbings. The Red Cross have a self imposed curfew of 6:00 just before sundown. Being kidnapped is a real possible thing if you go wander in the wrong place at the wrong time.

• To work in Haiti licensure is not an issue at this time. This is possibly not because they are accommodating but more because they have not thought about the possible cash involved. To hire a local Physician or Surgeon the cost is approx 2,500 Gourdes or $66.00 Canadian. Approx $17,000 per year. A Dentist would be similar in price.

• The actual destruction of building and homes is an issue which will take a long time to fix. There are buildings still standing but unsafe and others which are just a pile of rubble. Who cleans up and knocks down condemned buildings? The Government has not gotten to that level of order yet and that is one of the first things that need to be done.

Outcomes:

1. Mr. Patey and Mr. Winters will meet to set up an operating budget for the Foundation. Such will not just administrative but also projects.

2. Dr. Hiltz will contact Dr. Prophete in Haiti with regard to current needs and process of getting supplies in without the high level of fees, customs duties and theft.

3. The following positions were assigned;

· Dr. Gillies President

· Dr. Paul Walsh Vice-President

· Mr. Peter Winters Treasurer

· Dr. Hiltz Secretary

· Mr. Anthony Patey Executive Director

4. Next meeting September 9^th 2010 7:30 NLDA Offices