Vancouver children's medical team to join Haiti effort

 Pediatrician Dr Pargat Singh Bhurji and R.N. Kirby Pickard depart for Haiti via Santo Domingo in the next 24 hours. Dr Bhurji was a pivotal member of the AMDA Canada / Rose Charities Sri Lanka 2004 Tsunami pediatric relief team from BC Childrens Hosptial. On this occasion the B.C.Childrens Hospital staff are also involved, with the main effort being directed by Dr's Collin Yong and Mike Seear both highly disaster / relief experienced international pediatricians. R.N. Martin Ward (B.C Children's Hospital) is already in Haiti, working with the AMDA Canada surgical team now in Gonaives. Kirby works at St Pauls Hospital, Vancouver.  R.N's Karla Dozzi (Sudbury an Toronto) and Kathleen Firth (Edmonton) are also currently on site

In Kalmunai Sri Lanka, Dr Pargat Bhurgi became a star with  local population by not only bringing superb pediatric skills, and warm personality  but also his ability to play cricket !  He is still asked after, regularly by those helped through the Rose Charities / AMDA Canada project there.

R.N.Kirby Pickard has experience in working in Honduras as well as being highly trained, including burns, fractures etc.

With the arrival of the pediatric team there will be three areas medically assisted by the cooperating team(s) of  AMDA Canada (through AMDA International), Rose Charities, and  CECI (who have proved huge logistical assistance and direction in Haiti); Port au Prince, Gonaives and Jimani (just across the border in the Domincan Republic)