Most of us are somewhat familiar with Ultrasound Imaging, the use of sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Many of us have actually experienced this procedure before. Ultrasound Imaging has a multitude of uses; to look at an unborn baby in its mother’s womb, to help diagnose causes of pain, swelling and infection in the body's internal organs, to help guide biopsies, diagnose heart conditions, and assess damage after a heart attack. In the USA we take access to ultrasound technology for granted.
In Haiti, Ultrasound machines and medical personnel trained in the use of these devices and interpreting the results are difficult to access, and Ultrasound Imaging is expensive. Healing Art Missions (HAM) medical leadership realized the tremendous value of having a portable Ultrasound machine accessible at the Dumay clinic. In 2017, we took advantage of a significant manufacturers discount offered to non-profit medical groups working in developing countries, and purchased one for the clinic. Dr. Jacques, HAM’s Medical Director and surgeon, has been using this machine for diagnostic use on our medical, surgical, and obstetric patients since that time, but has been hindered by his limited sonography training.
HAM’s safe birthing program began in 2018, when the two nurses we hired to be trained as Midwives, graduated from their year-long program and returned to Dumay to serve our community. This program has developed greatly over the past two years with the hiring of Dr. Emmanuel, our Ob/Gyn specialist, who sees patients at the clinic every Friday. Ultrasound Imaging is an asset for safe birthing. Over the past 12 months Dr. Emmanuel and the Midwives together have ordered 396 prenatal ultrasound tests on their Obstetric patients. Unfortunately, Dr. Emmanuel was never trained in Ultrasound Imaging, and Dr. Jacques, is only able to do a fraction of the necessary ultrasound procedures.
We searched for over a year to find specialized Ultrasound Imaging training for both Dr. Jacques and Dr. Emmanuel in Haiti. Earlier this year we finally located such training, and HAM has paid for both doctor’s enrollment, each for a different specialization use, so they can in turn cross-train each other. Both doctors have completed four training session, with one session postponed because it was too dangerous to travel to the training location that day. They have twelve training session still to complete.
At HAM, we understand the need for appropriate diagnostic and procedural equipment, and proper training. Providing direct access to Ultrasound Imaging in Dumay is an important step toward providing the Dumay community with high level healthcare.