Saturday, March 27, 2010
Humanity First: Regina doctor travelling to Haiti to help those in need
Dr. Habib Rehman said he has been encouraged by the willingness of Canadian people to contribute to charities in Haiti's time of need.
Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit: Edmonton Journal
By Angela Hall, Leader-Post | January 21, 2010
REGINA — A Regina doctor leaves for Haiti on Friday to help with the enormous task of tending to the injured.
Dr. Habib Rehman is making the long journey to the earthquake ravaged country on short notice, where he'll work in makeshift facilities with limited essential medical supplies. But Rehman was quick to volunteer.
"It is challenging but it is also an opportunity to pay back to the community," said Rehman, who added he feels privileged to be a doctor. "I like challenges and this is a good opportunity to help out."
Rehman is traveling with Humanity First, the same charitable organization he worked with in the aftermath of the 2004tsunami. The Humanity First team of doctors and nurses that is already in Haiti is living in tents, said Rehman, an internal medicine specialist. The hospital that has been set up is also operating out of a tent.
"From the news and from the feedback from Humanity First, it is critical," Rehman said of the need for medical aid.
Rehman said he expects to encounter sanitation issues and the risk of disease outbreak will be high. Poor water supplies can lead to diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems, he said.
"I think there are going to be major issues," said Rehman, who will be in Haiti for about eight days.
An e-mail he received from Humanity First indicated the organization needs medical supplies such as dressings,
painkillers and antibiotics, plus regular items such as powdered milk, blankets and toothbrushes — the things we take for granted on a daily basis, Rehman said.
People interested in making donations can check the website at www.humanityfirst.ca, he said.
Rehman said he has been encouraged by the willingness of Canadian people to contribute to charities in Haiti's time of need.
"It's good to see people donating in circumstances like these, but they still need a lot more so I would encourage people to donate as much as they can."
In addition to physical injuries, people will be struggling with psychological issues — a problem that was also evident in the wake of the tsunami because everybody had lost somebody, he said.
"I think we're going to see a lot of psychological issues there and it's not just a short-term management issue. It's going to be long term management issue because these psychological issues don't go away straight-away, unlike the physical ailments which we can treat," he said.
"They'll need help in the future as well."
ahall@leaderpost.canwest.com
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