CBM plans to offer longer-term primary health care to persons with disabilities in Haiti
A CBM emergency team has spent a second week on the ground in Haiti working to assist persons with disabilities in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Primary health care, for example the provision of physical therapy for amputees, and healthcare needs for persons who are injured or persons with disabilities, such as prosthetic limbs and other devices, are the focus of emergency relief efforts now.
CBM is hiring 5 physiotherapists and occupational therapists so that an assistance program can start immediately to help those affected. CBM is also looking to jointly fund a rehabilitation unit to handle the long-term needs of survivors.
As part of an emergency response plan, CBM wants to extend services with existing Partners in Haiti as well as developing local rehabilitation centres in the capital, Port-au-Prince, where the injured and persons with disabilities can receive treatment.
A children’s day care centre as well as a jointly-funded special education centre (Centre D’education Specialise-CES) would function as a safe space for children who may have lost family or carers in the quake. Persons with injuries will have access to community follow up services as well as to referral services when necessary and persons with disabilities will be able to access relief activities and be protected from abuse.
In addition, the existing network of vulnerability/disability focal points (VDFPs) around the capital is to be extended to meet the needs of the vulnerable and provide a focal point for community services in partnership with local and international organisations. Two such points will be set up by CBM and partners organisation with the possibility to scale up if the need is identified.
CBM is also in discussions with other organisations and is advocating for WHO[1] coordination on injuries and disability in partnership with other organisations including Handicap International.
Planned outcomes of the activities are[2]:
-2 community centres open
-2 outreach teams set up ( 1 community team = 4 persons)
-2,000 persons are identified and followed up (injured, persons with disability and elderly persons)
-Rehabilitation services provided at community level
-Access to assistive devices
-Referral made to tertiary services
-Referral to mainstream organisations
All of these measures are conceived to have a long-term impact which lasts even when the acute phase of emergency work is over.
CBM currently works with seven Partner projects, five of which are located in Port-au-Prince.
It is known that the disaster will have caused many new disabilities: for every child who lost their lives, an estimated three more are injured[3].
Without healthcare attention, such injuries can become permanent disabilities; there is also the burden of mental trauma to address.
Help CBM to meet the urgent needs of persons with disabilities in Haiti.
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Thank you.
[1] World Health Organization
[2] Figures for one Project only
