A TEAM of Irish surgeons and nurses will travel to Haiti later this month to treat survivors of the earthquake that claimed the lives of an estimated 200,000 people.
The Irish Institute of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery is appealing to surgical supply companies, pharmaceutical firms and orthopaedic appliance providers to donate items that would assist in the provision of treatment.
The institute is sending a 12-strong team including three orthopaedic surgeons to Haiti on February 13th. It plans to send rotating teams over coming years to treat those with injuries, deformities and disabilities resulting from the earthquake. It is expected that a plastic surgeon and prosthetist will travel there from Ireland in coming months.
“Some of us felt very strongly that we should get involved,” said David Moore, president of the institute. “Our focus at first will be to address immediate needs, but our aim is long-term.”
The institute has forged links with US organisation Partners in Health, which had a presence in Haiti before the earthquake. The Irish teams will use facilities and theatre space provided by Partners in Health.
Mr Moore said the institute would welcome public donations to fund the purchase of supplies and to arrange their transport.
The medical team are using their annual leave to ensure there is no cost to the HSE.