Today was another intense day. The importance and lack of medication in Haiti is a major issue that has to be addressed. A lot of patients have the issue of hypertension and high blood pressure. Most of the patients today encountered a stroke that has left them paralyzed. It was just the most heartbreaking thing because this could have been prevented. The root of the issue is the lack of importance placed on taking medicine and remaining calm. As Dr. Close explained to me, the patients are used to dealing with issues that “go away” such as infections. However, the patients do not understand that high blood pressure and hypertension do not go away. As a result, the patients do not understand that they have to come back and get more medication once their medication is finished. They think that once their pill bottle is empty, their problem has gone away. This is not true. But another problem is the lack of access to the medication. These patients do not have the money for this medication and they are facing the consequences for it. It was heartbreaking to see a father who can barely talk or walk and tell his daughters that he will need a lot of love and support at home. His daughters told me that it has been months since he has taken his medication and he complained of headaches all last week and blacked out this morning.
It has been an interesting experience understanding how patients with diabetes manage. They tell the doctor how the stress of not having a job has factored into them not eating and following their regime. Some patients struggle with not having access to insulin. There was another patient whose needed dialysis in Port Au Prince—an entire three hours away. The distance was a roadblock and the lack of funds was a roadblock too. It is tough seeing patients who could be treated and healthy but are so far away from medicine that could change their lives.
