Haiti Amputees Struggle Amidst Destruction

There is also an increasing need for rehabilitation services.

Video/Photo source: United Nations and MINUSTAH

(PORT-AU-PRINCE/SALEM) - Medical facilities in Haiti continued to see thousands of cases of infections and crush injuries leading to an increasing number of amputees.

They are in dire need of crutches and prosthesis.

The World Health Organization estimated that are about 2,000 amputees in Haiti and the number keeps going up. Many of the amputees suffer from infections in addition to the crushing injuries.

Minottee Duverseau, an amputee, had begged her doctor not to remove her leg. She fears that now she will be of no use to her family and society.

"I have a lot of problems ahead. I lost my leg. I won't be able to work or do anything anymore. I am just going to sit in a corner somewhere, my husband will have to take care of my kids. I am useless, I won't be able to do anything."

Many Haitians like Duverseau are coping with the trauma of such severe life-changing injuries. The Haitian Government estimated that there are almost 200,000 people who sustained injuries from the 12 January earthquake.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that there are currently 150 health facilities operational in Port-au-Prince but only 46 have surgical capacity. There is a critical need for orthopedic surgeons and X-ray equipment to deal with the increasing number of amputees.

Ruth Duggan from Handicap International, said that there is also an increasing need for rehabilitation services.

"Handicap International is working with a few other groups to put together a rehabilitation hospital. And also to put together a prosthetics shop, hopefully in the next three to four weeks. Sooner if possible. And then we will start fitting prostheses for people who are unable to walk, and for upper limb amputations."

Hospitals run by Médecins Sans Frontières, the International Federation Red Cross and Red Crescent, the US Health and Services Department and the US Navy say that they are caring for over 40,000 patients out of whom almost 2,000 have undergone surgery.

Special thanks to the United Nations and MINUSTAH for the video in this report: