Supporting locally-led sustainable healthcare development in Haiti
Haiti:
HHA first visited Haiti in 2005, a trip that led to the charity being founded (previously under the name Haiti Hospital Appeal). After years of political instability (including a number of dictatorships), significant natural disasters (including the 2010 earthquake that killed 220,000 people) and the recent cholera epidemic (the worst a single country has ever faced), Haiti has become the poorest country in the western hemisphere.
Haiti subsequently has the highest rates of infant and maternal mortality in the region. 63% of births take place at home without any medical support, with women often marginalised geographically, financially and often through poor education. Poverty and the low standard of living conditions also contribute to Haiti’s poor infant health indicators.
Despite these challenges, Haiti is a beautiful country with a courageous people. Haiti is full of inspiring men and women seeking to change their nation. Our role is to equip and empower sustainable Haitian-led change. HHA has subsequently become one of the leading health NGOs in North Haiti, working closely with the Haitian Ministry of Health to improve the country’s health indicators.
Hospital Services:
HHA is privileged to have co-founded one of the leading hospitals in North Haiti, 'Hospital HCBH', a 100+ bed facility that employs over 300 local Haitian staff. The vision was always to ensure the most vulnerable have access to quality healthcare. The hospital still specialises in maternal and infant healthcare with operating theatres for emergency deliveries, and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for critically sick and premature babies.
In addition, HHA supports one of Haiti’s few Disability Rehabilitation Centres at the hospital, caring for spinal cord and stroke patients.
Alongside the specialist units, the hospital treats thousands of other patients through services like the emergency care, clinic, radiology, surgery, and much more. In all, over 30,000 patients a year come to the hospital, making it a vital resource for those living in North Haiti.
The hospital serves as a place for Haitian nursing students to train, and international medics to visit, sharing knowledge and methods with the local staff.
Project Start Date: 2007
Number of hospital beds: 100+
Number of Haitian staff: 300
Lives being impacted: 30,000+ patients served each year
Haiti Hospital Case Study
Shortly after the opening of the hospital’s Emergency Department, a taptap (Haitian taxi) full of people, driving in the dark with no headlights, collided at full speed with the back of a truck carrying rocks. The impact destroyed the taptap injuring most of the 17 people in, and on, the vehicle.
Thankfully, the collision happened within sight of our partner hospital and each patient was brought in to triage. Some were transported to other facilities in the region, with others receiving x-rays, surgery and wound dressings.
Without the range of services now available through constant investment in hospital infrastructure, some of those patients could not have received the care they needed.
