Updates from the Haitian Women's Collaborative Project

By: Ambereen Sleemi

We traveled to Port-Au-Prince in February to continue our work in the National Hospital.

The team consisted of myself and gynecologic surgeon Dr. Lise Rehwaldt. I was thrilled to have Lise join me and contribute her vast experience working in resource-poor areas, gynecologic surgery and resident education.  Cervix cancer screening was performed, and didactic training was given.  This was the 1st time we had the capability of performing screening and hope to continue to build on this initiative. One of our patients had advanced cervix cancer and her referral to a facility for further treatment was secured. 

IMR’s focus on surgical training continued with major operations performed in the hospital’s ORs, focusing on using what is readily available and creating feasible alternatives to other needs.  Residents actively participated in all cases, which consisted of major pelvic reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse and genito-urinary fistulas (obstetric and iatrogenic).

The feedback from attendings and residents was again overwhelmingly positive as we seek to build on the relationships formed with the Ob/Gyn department and the hospital.   We traveled to the newly built hospital in Mirebalais and met with the head of Ob/Gyn to discuss possible collaboration in the future.

Our work was supported in part by generous donations of medical supplies from Direct Relief International and surgical supplies from MAP International’s GEMS program  in partnership with Ethicon/J and J.