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College Lecturer, Che Bruce, returns from Haiti earthquake disaster mission

28th January 2010 - (Click photos to enlarge)

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Chesterfield College Public Services Lecturer, Che Bruce, has returned home following his intense medical rescue mission to Port Au Prince, Haiti, following the recent earthquake disaster. Che accompanied a UK rescue team of six disaster medics from ERT Search and Rescue.

Travelling via the US and Dominican Republic the United Nations recognised team, used to being deployed to disasters, were on the front line in Haiti within seven hours of leaving the UK. As soon as they arrived Che and his colleagues began using the thousands of pounds worth of medicines and medical equipment they brought with them.

Working on the piles of rubble where buildings once stood, Che was treating casualties trapped by the earthquake but it was in the trauma field hospitals where Che’s medical skills benefitted the victims most.

Che explains, “The field hospitals were nothing more than a piece of land with improvised sheets pulled across them as a small sun shade. Unfortunately, the entire area was severely lacking in water, food, toilets, electricity and a means of communication.

We handled countless major trauma cases such as amputations, bone crushes, deep wounds and severe infections from young children right up to the elderly. Although we saw so much death and suffering, we did feel as though we made a small difference in treating the hundreds of casualties during our deployment, saving many lives in the process. It was such an unforgettable experience and I will endeavour to pass on my first hand knowledge to the public services students as part of their disaster planning module so they can see the real impact of these horrendous events.”

Che and his team were however, often left very frustrated at the lack of aid reaching many designated zones. “It was reported that aid had arrived but we certainly didn’t see any of around the badly affected Hospitalier De La Renaissance and Haitian Cathedral area. We also needed more transport to take casualties from the field hospitals to definitive care area where their treatments.

Rescue teams dig for hours to get someone out, we treat and stabilise them, but then there is a distinct lack in follow up services so wounds can quickly become dirty and infected again. Other basics such as formula for babies is sorely needed as well, they can’t have cow’s milk because they get diarrhoea from drinking it and become dehydrated, exacerbating the problem”, describes Che.

The team does not get money from the Disasters Emergency Committee and are a small self funded charity requiring donations. If you would like to support this work by giving online at www.justgiving.com/haiti