* Alison Frehlich, Public Affairs Advisor, Canadian Red Cross, is blogging from Haiti
Have you ever met someone who is so inspiring it almost makes you want to cry? Today I experienced just this because today I met my new hero, who I believe is a hero to many here in Haiti.
Dr. Zubair Masood is a paediatrician, humanitarian and possibly a miracle worker who specializes in saving the lives of the tiniest babies in the most vulnerable situation -- post-earthquake Haiti.
During my brief, but memorable visit to the Red Cross field hospital in Carrefour, he took me through the paediatric tent and showed me the babies under his care. Each bed held at least one infant, sometimes two, who stay in the hospital until they are well enough to go home. Many are premature or underweight and need special attention.
In the ICU tent he showed me some of the smallest babies I have ever seen. Many lay on beds receiving much-needed oxygen with their mothers sitting at their sides. Occasionally you could hear a tiny whimper; they are so fragile. Dr. Masood told me that at night they worry about keeping these little ones warm, which is a challenge in Haiti without incubators. He said they use what they have, in this case hot water bottles, aluminum foil and lamps to keep in the heat.
A while ago I posted a story about Dr. Masood and a premature baby named Stacy on our Haiti website. He was committed to helping this little girl survive and he did just that. It was wonderful to see the way his face lit up when he told me about Stacy and how she is now a healthy, chubby baby. He was equally proud of a baby he called the “motorcycle baby.” This baby was brought in by his father on a motorcycle with no signs of life. He was resuscitated and recently released from the hospital with no signs of neurological damage.
Today I was made to believe in miracles, but more than that, the miracle of individuals who don’t give up. Dr. Masood is a shining example of how one person can make a real difference. As a Canadian I am proud to say he is one of our delegates, but as a person, I’m simply proud to say that I have had the privilege of meeting him.
