1/26/2010
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Speaking to Huntington orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ali Oliashirazi by telephone from Haiti, Gov. Joe Manchin received word that the humanitarian mission recently organized by a group of Huntington-based doctors, medical personnel and a Pittsburgh philanthropist to provide medical and surgical care to Haiti’s earthquake victims, is going smoothly and making a difference for many of the nation’s wounded.
The West Virginia medical delegation has been stationed at Double Harvest Hospital in the town of Croix de Bouquets, which is located eight miles south of Haiti’s capital city of Port-Au-Prince.
According to Oliashirazi, word is spreading about the West Virginia medical staff and they are quickly developing a reputation as one of the best treatment facilities in the area. “We will see approximately 400 people today,” Oliashirazi told the governor today.
An 80-year-old Haitian woman, who suffered an ankle fracture, a broken pelvis and collarbone after her house collapsed due to a quake aftershock, was seen by West Virginia medical professionals at Double Harvest Hospital. Also, a child who sustained two broken heels as a result of the earthquake, walked to Double Harvest to receive treatment by the medical professionals on hand there. “Haiti’s wounded are humble and appreciate of the care they are receiving from our medical personnel,” said Oliashirazi. “The greatest reward from our efforts is knowing that we are helping those who have nothing,” he told the governor.
Manchin said from what he’s been told, “This is a level of poverty and devastation unlike anything we have seen. I, again, want to commend the efforts of Dr. Oliashirazi and the entire West Virginia medical team for providing extraordinary care and medical expertise to the Haitian community. I will continue to stay in contact with our delegation and I am so very proud at the level of compassion and service that they are providing to our brothers and sisters in Haiti.”
Contact Information
Jama Jarrett or Melvin Smith
304-558-2000