A Haitian hospital with Pittsburgh ties is struggling to give earthquake survivors medical treatment.
Founded in 1956 by Larimer and Gwen Mellon of Pittsburgh, Hôpital Albert Schweizer (HAS) is burning through supplies at a extraordinary rate to aid the constant insurgence of wounded.
Chairman John Walton says the hospital, 40 minutes northwest of Port-Au-Prince, has far exceeded its capacity of 125 beds.
“We started seeing patients showing up within about 20 to 30 minutes after the event and from that time, we’re seeing a constant stream of vehicles arriving, sometimes in big bunches and sometimes only a couple an hour, but they just keep arriving,” says Walton.
“Generally, these are pickup trucks with people riding in open beds in the back.”
Walton says the hospital took on a greater role in the relief efforts when he learned only three hospitals in the capital were still functional. He says he’s working to bring in much-needed supplies via helicopter.
To make a monetary donation or read the latest news on HAS, visit their website at HASHaiti.org.
Monday, January 18, 2010
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