President of Haitian Senate, Hospitalized in the Metropolitan Hospital of Santiago, Expresses Gratitude to Dominican Government and People for Solidarity

President of Haitian Senate, Hospitalized in the Metropolitan Hospital of Santiago, Expresses Gratitude to Dominican Government and People for Solidarity

The President of Haiti’s Senate, Kelly Bestien, thanked God and the help forthcoming from the Dominican people and government of President Leonel Fernández, for saving his life after suffering injuries in Tuesday’s earthquake.

Mr. Bestien’s declaration was contained in a story published by Spain’s EFE news service from Santiago de los Caballeros, the Dominican Republic, according to the President’s Office of Information, Press and Publicity

Mr. Bestien’s declaration was contained in a story published by Spain’s EFE news service from Santiago de los Caballeros, the Dominican Republic, according to the President’s Office of Information, Press and Publicity.

The Haitian congressman is currently hospitalized in the Metropolitan Hospital of Santiago (HOMS) after sustaining injuries when the Haitian government palace collapsed during Tuesday’s quake.

Bestien, rescued by Dominican brigadiers, told how he was trapped for at least 12 hours beneath the rubble of the collapsed building. He saw people die, he said, including two congress people right beside him who were buried under the debris of the Haitian Congressional building.

A private airplane provided by Dominican businessman Manuel Estrella transported Kelly Bestien and another eight survivors to the Metropolitan Hospital of Santiago where they received treatment from Dominican physicians. The Haitian legislator was operated on for a leg injury.

HOMS Directors, Rafael Sánchez Español and Santiago García, reported that Bestien and the other Haitian patients under their care are in satisfactory condition.

After visiting Bestien, Julio César Valentín, President of the Dominican Chamber of Deputies, called on all members of Congress throughout Latin America to collaborate with Haiti’s recovery.

Mr. Valentín said the Chamber of Deputies of the Dominican Republic is gathering medicine, food and the necessary tools to help neighboring Haiti.