Caring for health needs in crisis time

Dr. Erol Rene sees patients during one of his mobile medical campaigns in Haiti in December. (Photo submitted).

CAYES-JACMEL, HAITI―A humanitarian crisis continues in Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince. Gangs are heavily armed and control the streets and airport.

Human Rights Watch states: “Haiti’s crisis has reached catastrophic levels, with allied criminal groups intensifying large-scale, coordinated attacks on the population and key state infrastructure, nearly paralyzing much of the country and worsening the already dire human rights and humanitarian situation.”

The security issue at the Luke Society ministry in Cayes-Jacmel is not as intense in this southern city compared with much of the rest of the country, however, the economic situation is dire. Food, household products and electric power are very expensive, if they are available at all. Ministry director Dr. Erol Rene has shifted some of his medical work to better respond to people’s needs, helping people through mobile medical clinics. The government health ministry has not had enough resources to care for the population.

“One of the greatest difficulties faced by Haitians who do not have economic resources is the lack of access to health care,” Erol said. “There are no free, inclusive health services in public centers, so when a [poor] person gets sick, they usually die, even though the illness could be easily cured.” At a recent mobile clinic, Dr. Erol treated 125 people who, “had been sick for months without being able to go for care because they did not have resources.”

Pray for Erol and his team who are working hard and giving of themselves to help people in need. Pray that peace would come to Haiti. Pray that the gospel message would find root in this trying landscape.

To read the full March GAP newsletters including causes for prayer and praise, toggle between the two images below.