Medical Missionaries providing timely relief

A retired orthopedic surgeon is returning to Haiti to provide free medical services to those injured during last week’s catastrophic earthquake that killed nearly 200,000 people and left 3.5 million injured or homeless.

Dr. David M. Snyder, 68, of Culpeper, formerly of Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center in Warrenton, has plans to leave Thursday with Medical Missionaries Inc., a nonprofit volunteer group of medical professionals who work to improve the health care of those who can’t afford it.

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake devastated the already impoverished island country of nearly 9 million people Jan. 12.

As part of a group of about 15 people, each person will transport nearly 150 pounds of medical supplies to help quake survivors who suffered injuries during last week’s natural disaster. The medical team is expected to work in hospitals in Hinche and Thomassique, two cities near the Dominican Republic border.

A medical technician with knowledge of the county’s rough landscape will also accompany the group, according to Snyder.

“He knows the terrain and he’s very valuable,” Snyder said of the man, whose name is Patrick Elm.

The group plans to fly to Santo Domingo this weekend before traveling to Haiti. Snyder describes the trip to Haiti as smooth until you reach the international airport in Port-au-Prince, the capital.

“They can only service 12 planes at a time,” said the longtime physician who has made the trip to Haiti five times. “That’s the bottleneck.”

Snyder said other medical teams will depart for Haiti Jan. 29 and Feb. 7, the same day his group will return home.

“It’s like a well-oiled machine,” Snyder said, describing the longtime mission effort.

Asked why he continues to give back to those less fortunate, Snyder said it’s very rewarding work.

“It’s a way to keep my hands in it,” he explained. “I’ve just enjoyed helping people that have nothing. If you have nothing, a little is a lot.”

He said the Haitian hospitals are equipped with anesthesia, a blood bank, X-ray machines and labs.

“This earthquake has added to the devastation to the local clinics,” he said. “They were pushed to the extremes when we went on a routine basis.”

Snyder’s group consists of volunteers from Manassas, Warrenton and Culpeper.

Despite the recent reports of looting, Snyder’s experience with Haitians is a positive one. “They are very spiritual, thankful and full of pride,” he said.

About the organization
Dr. Gilbert Irwin, a Manassas internist, created Medical Missionaries in 1997 in an effort to help improve the quality of health services in Banica and Pedro Santana, a city in the province of Elias Pina in the Dominican Republic.

But when he noticed the difficulties the Haitians living in the Central Plateau endured across the Artibonito River, Irwin decided to build St. Joseph’s Clinic, a medical facility in Thomassique, a city with nearly 40,000 people. According to the Medical Missionary Web site, this hospital serves about 125,000 people, including patients who live in neighboring towns and villages.

The hospital was completed in 2007.

“We’re the only player in health care in Thomassique. Prior to us going, there was nothing,” Irwin said. “It’s hard to turn your back on something when you know it’s going on. We’re trying to make a little difference.”

Before the quake, the 15-bed hospital served nearly 200 people a day and delivered 50 babies on a monthly basis.

Irwin expects an influx of Haitians to head toward the Dominican Republic, only to be turned around by the military.

Those seeking medical help, Irwin believes, will look for it at his hospital.

Irwin has plans to return to Haiti sometime next month.

To donate, mail checks to: Medical Missionaries, Inc. c/o Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund; 9590 Surveyor Court, Manassas, VA 20110. To learn more, visit medmissionaries.org.

Health kits for Haiti

Culpeper United Methodist Church is collecting health kits for Haiti or $12. The initiative began Sunday and will last until Jan. 24 at noon.

The Health Kit items include:

» a wash cloth

» a hand towel (15-by-25 inches)

» six adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages (Band-aids)

» one fingernail clipper or nail file (no emery boards or toe nail clippers)

» a comb (large and sturdy, not a pocket comb)

» a bar of soap (3 ounces or more)

» a toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, not a child’s)

» $1 for toothpaste (purchased in bulk, so expiration date is OK)

» $1 for expedited shipping to Haiti

Place these items in a one gallon plastic bag, bring to Culpeper United Methodist Church at 1233 Oaklawn Drive, Culpeper 22701 or call 825-0764. All items must be new. Because there are often strict rules that govern product entry internationally, it is essential that kits contain only the items listed above. Do not include any personal notes, money or additional materials; it will delay shipment.