Nearly 50 Christian missionaries came down for our eighth trip to this impoverished area, including ten healthcare workers. As last year, Danita’s Orphanage was generous to be our host for seeing all the people who came for care and healing. We set up the Medical Clinic in the school. This provided four large rooms with ample space for triage, doctors, prayer and pharmacy. Steve Holt was the sentry at the gate, organizing all who came in an orderly fashion. Men, women, children and babies of all ages came by the hundreds. They were given a numbered paper, their “medical sheet.” Steve funneled the patients into the clinic, where their first stop was the Triage Room. Nursing staff checked the patients, wrote what was wrong and got vital signs. Next stop was the Doctor Room. Myself and Ken Cetin, PA were providing medical care. We saw everything and then more.
After receiving care, each patient was seen in the Prayer Room, for spiritual healing. Finally to Pharmacy to get medication. The entire staff ran like a well oiled healthcare machine. We saw about 600 individuals over a three and a half day time. Two healthcare providers and a blessed, massive support staff plus God’s grace made this possible. On the second full day we saw 183 patients. That was the busiest day I had ever had in medicine over 30 years. Never thought that number could be exceeded – with just two docs. I felt so spiritually energized that evening but was physically exhausted. Big nap before dinner.
Later that night, at dinner, I had mentioned to Ps. Warren that we were out of our number one prescribed medication. Without this single drug, we would have to turn away many the next day. Fortunately, Ken had found a Dominican Republic pharmacy just a block from our hotel. Later that night, we were at that pharmacy negotiating to buy 2000 tablets of our #1 medication. Heartburn (GERD) is epidemic in Haiti. Without this medication, we could not be effective. Ps. Warren was certain we would see over 200 patients the next day. I just kept quiet, not wanting to speak doubt. Two hundred patients, two docs, six hours…..no way.
Last day at The Clinic, we were all quite enlightened, knowing how many we saw the day before. We cranked up The Machine and patients started rolling in. By lunch time, we had seen 130 patients. By the end of the day, a total of over 250 patients had been treated – physically and spiritually. We were so blessed by the grace of God to have the ability to accomplish this monumental task. He used us to carry out His will. The energy of the Holy Spirit filled me so completely. I thanked the Medical Team, Danita’s staff, my wonderful translators and finally Danita. It was a sad, sweet goodbye – until our next Haiti trip. May the grace of God be with you all.
Daniel Kassicieh, D.O.
