News

On A Mission

Local Doctor, Panama Couple Continue Sending Aid To Haiti

By Robert Rizzuto, rrizzuto@post-journal.com

A local couple that survived the earthquake and associated aftermath in Haiti are still working to help rebuild their mission´s facilities and a local surgeon who has traveled to the country several times in the past is gearing up to help from a distance.

Dr. Bert Rappole, a longtime surgeon and respected medical professional, is asking the public for help as he and Allegany Regional Missions put together a medical relief package to aid in the recovery efforts. With a Friday deadline, Dr. Rappole is hoping the public comes forward with enough supplies to help make a C-130 flight from Christian Services International to Haiti worthwhile.

"When buildings collapsed many people died, but others had extremities caught and crushed," he said. "This has resulted in many amputations, arm and leg fractures, and open infected wounds on extremities. There is a need for crutches, canes, and walkers. The clinic is also looking for simple meds like Tylenol and vitamins."

Rappole said that Bert and Roberta Anderson, the Panama couple working with CSI at the Centre de Sante Health Clinic in Croix-des-Bouquets, need assistance from the outside world because basic supplies are generally unavailable. He said that the lack of supplies had placed a burden on CSI´s clinic and its staff, as they work to help as many people as possible.

"The medical clinic that Bert and Roberta Anderson administer had minor damage but patients are being seen as before," he said. "One of the doctors left because her house was destroyed but they have a replacement Haitian physician. They are a little stressed because everyone from the Hope Orphanage is living with them, including 20 girls plus 16 others."

The orphanage, which is about 100 yards east, was heavily damaged but the hope is that they will be able to return to the building sometime in the next eight weeks.

As far as Rappole joining a foreign surgical team to travel to Haiti, everything is on hold. He explained that at this point, bringing a whole team would just place an additional burden on the staff at the center as they would need somewhere to stay and food to eat.

"When the time comes, we will likely travel down there and fill open spots," he said. "We would help staff a hospital or work in one of their MASH-like field units."

Allegany Region Missions´ focus at this time is to get supplies to the Centre de Sante Health Clinic and to other hospitals in Haiti. WCA Hospital is sending two anesthesia machines in addition to other supplies, Rappole said.

On Friday, Feb. 13, the items will be taken to Christian Service International headquarters in Muncie, Ind. All of these supplies will be taken to Haiti in a donated C-130 the following week.

"I know a lot of people want to go to Haiti to do whatever they can," he said, "but right now, this is one of the best ways to help."

Donations can be brought to Allied Alarm Services´ building at 2020 Allen St. Ext. or to Allegany Regional Missions´ office located on Main Street in Randolph.

For more information, visit www.armissions.org.

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