Surgical firm inspired to lend instruments to Haiti
A SURGICAL instrument manufacturer is donating a range of specialist instruments to surgeons working in the disaster torn capital of Haiti after hearing about a relative’s heroic actions to rescue a survivor who had been trapped underground for 11 days.
Alyson Nisbett, director of Sheffield-based family run Platts and Nisbett, was so touched after seeing pictures of family member Carmen Michalska pulling the 24-year-old man to safety that she contacted medical aid agency Merlin to see what she could do to help.
Ms Michalska rescued the Haitian man hours after the official search had been called off by the authorities, after hearing a noise coming from under the rubble.
Ms Nisbett said: “When I saw the pictures of people suffering and Carmen’s heroic actions I just wanted to do something to help.
“Being a surgical manufacturer donating instruments to surgeons on the ground treating survivors just made perfect sense. As well as needing immediate surgery, thousands of people affected by the earthquake will need surgery in the future as a result of their injuries so ensuring they have the right equipment and instruments is vital.”
Merlin is a UK aid agency that specialises in providing healthcare for people at times when they are in need of it most. They have been working to get supplies and medical equipment to Haiti since the earthquake struck in Haiti in January.
All Platts & Nisbett products are manufactured in-house, allowing the creating of bespoke instruments. Manufactured in Sheffield the equipment will be shipped over to Haiti by Merlin.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of the charity is Sheffield theatre nurse Angela Knock, who has just flown back from Haiti after spending two weeks helping people who had been injured in the disaster.
