The Boston-based nonprofit "Partners in Health" and the Haitian Minister of Health, Dr. Alex Larsen, have announced plans for a $15 million, 320-bed teaching hospital in Mirebalais. The town is located north of the shattered capital Port-au-Prince in Central Haiti at the intersection of two roads that have been major thoroughfares for earthquake survivors fleeing Port-au-Prince. An estimated 20,000 people have migrated to the area.
Haiti Needs Health Care Professionals and Hospitals
The public teaching hospital in Port-au-Prince, the Hôpital de l'Université d'état d'Haiti (HUEH), suffered extensive damage in the 2010 earthquake. Right next door, Haiti's only nursing school completely collapsed killing more than 200 students and faculty.
Haiti was in desperate need for health professionals before the earthquake struck. The nursing students are terribly missed now as the demand for primary and mental health care has increased. The new hospital is one of the first projects proposed by the Haitian government . It will strengthen the country's public infrastructure by serving at least 160,000 residents.
"Zanmi Lasante": 25 Years of Community Health Work in Cange
Before the earthquake "Partners in Health" (PIH) and its Haitian sister organization Zanmi Lasante (“Partners In Health” in Haitian Kreyol) had plans to build a smaller community hospital at the site. The Ministry of Health asked PIH to revise the project into a much larger one.
Founded in 1985 by Dr. Paul Farmer, Zanmi Lasante in the village of Cange in Haiti developed from a small clinic into a community health center. A key to its success are thousands of accompagnateurs (community health workers), who help monitor medical and socioeconomic needs. If patients take antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV and have nothing to eat, the treatment will fail. If patients don't comply with the strict regimen of taking their medication on a regular basis, their health won't improve. Community health workers make home visits to support patients.
"Partners in Health" Works With the Haitian Government
Zanmi Lasante (ZL) has expanded its operations to 11 other sites across Haiti’s Central Plateau. In each of the expansion sites ZL partners with NGOs and the Haitian Government to rebuild existing clinics, establish laboratories and train and pay community health workers.
The new National Teaching Hospital in Mirebalais will serve an estimated 450-550 patients per day. Clinical facilities will include an intensive care unit and six operating rooms. Speaking for the Haitian Ministry of Health, Dr. Alex Larsen said: "We look forward to building upon our long-standing partnership with Partners in Health/Zanmi Lasante with this desperately-needed facility."
NPR Interview on the National Teaching Hospital at Mirebalais, Haiti
Partners in Health Breaks Ground on Teaching Hospital in Mirebalais Haiti
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