Two steps forward....one step back

Visited our medical clinic in Gebeau today. Over the past 6 months the clinic has been in state of transition. New budget, trimmed down staff, new medical doctor director-----new realities. Like anywhere else, change is hard and it showed on all the faces at Gebeau. Patient census is down (word spreads quickly when there is no doctor in the house ) and pharmacy is TOTALLY  bare. It is difficult to make any difference in health without medications, so you can imagine that frustration has led to apathy and depression. 

However with feet on the ground here I believe a statement of caring has been clearly made. 

My work is to communicate that we, the Jeremie Haiti Project, are committed to helping them succeed and get back on their feet doing what they do best----helping the local Haitian people. 

Yes I brought some medicine (certainly not enough) but constant communication is what is most required and perhaps more listening than talking!  Likewise it is a two-way street---- the way things were doesn't count for much and the sooner the new reality is accepted, the better it will be for all. 

Geez I feel like a union negotiator rather than a caring nurse!

Plan to return to the clinic on Monday......

Nancy