|
Health Horizons International News - July 2012 Medical Service Trip Volunteers Needed! Are you passionate about global health and direct patient car
|
|
Latrine Project in Severet
When outbreaks of cholera and dysentery hit our partner communities last year, causing hospitalizations and death, our newly established Public Health Director, Tracy, began working to address the underlying causes of these preventable diseases. In addition to the potable water project in Pancho Mateo, she developed a plan of action for improved sanitation. Studies show that latrines are effective in reducing diarrheal disease by about 30%. This month, with the leadership of our Peace Corps Volunteer, Maria, and dozens of community collaborators, we broke ground and have already constructed ten latrines for families in need. Maria explains: |
 Half-way done: concrete slab and seat in place! |
“In April, I did a needs assessment in Arroyo Leche, Negro Melo and Severet. The needs assessment was a short questionnaire asking each family if they had a latrine, if they share with another family, how many years they had their latrine, the condition of the latrine, and if there were children under the age of 5 living in the home. After compiling all the information, Tracy and I decided to work first in Severet, and were able to select 20 families in need. In order to finalize their eligibility, one representative of the family had to attend three of my “charlas,” which included topics such as cholera, basic hygiene and sanitation, latrine maintenance, and how to make a “llave casero” (a handwashing device made out of a plastic bottle).” |
 A mason lines the walls of the pit to prevent erosion. |
Each family that receives a latrine is responsible for digging the three meter deep hole, providing the sand, gravel, and rocks for building the foundation and cement slap, and providing the materials (yagua leaves or wood) for the outhouse. They also provide meals for the masons who do the skilled construction. The cost to HHI is US$85 per latrine, which includes all other materials and labor costs. Maria explains, “The latrine design is a normal pit latrine. It is 3 meters deep, the floor slab is made out of cement, it has a normal toilet seat and lid, and a ventilation tube to the outside. This type of latrine will last about 10 years, with less maintenance than other latrine designs.”
In addition to the twenty household latrines, we are planning to build six latrines for the families living in the batey section of Severet. The batey is composed of barrack-style housing built by the sugar cane company in the mid 1900s, where overcrowding, lack of access to sanitation and potable water, and extreme poverty often result in greater vulnerability to infectious disease. |
 Maria and a Severet family outside their newly completed latrine. |
“Just looking at the old and new latrines, there has been significant progress. It was definitely worth all the challenges and work, especially seeing how happy and appreciative the families are and knowing how beneficial it is for each family. I am happy to have had the opportunity to do this project as a Peace Corps health volunteer. Finally, I would like to thank HHI and those that donated the money to make this project happen, and especially a big thanks to Tracy for her help, expertise and patience.” ~ Maria Salinas, Peace Corps Volunteer with HHI |
After several weeks of patient interviews, patient flow analyses, medical record reviews, and staff self-evaluations, the initial phase of this summer's COPE (Client Oriented, Provider Efficient) project concluded with the development of an action plan for improving the quality of services at Hospital La Maternidad in Montellano. With the leadership of Boston University doctoral student, Myriam Scally, and Maternidad administrator Fernando Medina, the project identified 43 specific action items across 10 areas of quality indicators, including client access to services; personnel access to training and development; continuity of care; client rights to dignity and comfort; safety and infection control; materials, supplies, and infrastructure; and more.
The findings and recommendations were reported to the Provincial Ministry of Public Health, Hospital La Maternidad, and HHI. A COPE committee, consisting of five staff members from different departments at La Maternidad, and HHI's Clinical Programs Director, Janelle, was formed to continue the process over the next year. The committee is scheduled to meet each month to evaluate progress on the action plan and adapt the objectives and timelines as needed. In six months, a second in-depth COPE evaluation will be conducted by Lic. Medina, with the support of La Maternidad's director, Dr. Luis Hiraldo. |
According to Dr. Vicente de Peña, the Director of Public Health Programs for the Puerto Plata Provinical Ministry of Health, the COPE project at La Maternidad is the only systematic quality-improvement program operating at any health center in the entire province. Through continuing the Ministry's involvement in the project, he hopes to determine if it can be applied to other hospitals and clinics throughout the region.
We wish to thank Myriam for her phenomenal work with HHI, La Maternidad, and the Ministry of Health over the last two months. This project is a significant step forward in HHI's mission to build local capacity for improving community health. We are excited to take action by deepening our partnerships with the local health system, and collaborating to improve the quality of health services for the people of Montellano and beyond.
Read more about the COPE project in our June 2012 newsletter here. |
Jansel's Road to Recovery: Update
Since arriving at Shriner's Hospital in Boston, MA in mid-March to undergo critical medical treatment for osteomyelitis, our 19-year-old patient, Jansel, and his mother, Claris, have endured a difficult road of surgeries, treatments, and long hospitalization with courage, patience, and grace. The incredible team of physicians, nurses, social workers, and other hospital staff at Shriners have truly gone above and beyond to support Jansel and Claris. We are happy to report that Jansel successfully underwent his final surgery -- a bone graft, where healthy bone from his hip was grafted onto his tibia -- on June 29th. At this point, he will receive physical therapy and continued monitoring for another several weeks until the external fixator can be removed, and he will then continue with rehab until he is fully, finally, healed.
HHI is currently working with Shriners to determine whether Jansel and Claris can return to the Dominican Republic to finish the rehabilitation process, or if they will need to remain in Boston for another 3-4 months of outpatient care. We greatly appreciate your help to make the home stretch of Jansel and Claris's time in the United States as positive as possible, and smoothly facilitate their transition back home to the Dominican Republic. To help this amazing family by visiting them at Shriners, hosting them during their outpatient time, or even sending a get-well card, please contact us at info@hhidr.org. To make a donation, please click here and indicate "Operation Jansel" in the memo line of your check or online donation. Thank you so much for your support. |
Kiteboarding 4 Kids - August 17th-19th!
We are delighted to announce that HHI has been selected as a beneficiary of the 2012 Kiteboarding 4 Kids competition in Cabarete. KB4K is an annual charity kiteboarding competition that takes place at the famous Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding (LEK). In 2011, the event raised $25,000 to support ten charities that help children in and around Cabarete, including HHI. In 2012, KB4K's goal is to raise and donate $30,000.
"Like" KB4K on facebook and visit their website to learn more and donate to this great event! If you are in the Cabarete area, we hope to see you there from August 17th-19th! |
Transition Time
We are now moved in to our new office in the Dominican Republic. Our address is C/ El Silencio #18, 2da planta, Montellano, Puerto Plata. Over the next few weeks, we will be setting up the office with help from a generous donation of office supplies from the Covidien San Isidro Manufacturing Facility. We thank Covidien for their support and dedication to HHI's work, and look forward to sharing pictures of the new space once it is complete! We also thank our partners at Centro Diagnóstico Montellano, Dr. Marte and Carmen, for all of their support, advising, and collaboration over the last year while we were co-located at CEDIMON's offices. We look forward to continuing to work together!
We will also be welcoming our new Executive Director, Paul Guggenheim, on July 29th, while Laura's last day with HHI will be August 17th. Thank you for your continued support during this time of change and transition -- HHI would not be where we are today without your generosity, encouragement, and advocacy for our work and mission. |
Health Horizons International is committed to improving community health and expanding access to primary health care in partnership with communities affected by poverty in the Dominican Republic.
Thank you for your support and belief in our cause. |
|
|
|
|
