Provide access to healthcare in rural Haiti

A Report from Dr. Elizabeth Bréa

Director of the Fondwa Clinic

Fondwa, Haiti

May 29, 2020

Dear friends of the APF Clinic:

I want to thank you for the support you provide in support of the Asosyasyon Peyizan Fondwa (APF) clinic. With the onslaught of COVID 19 in Haiti, we are going to need your continued partnership in our efforts to provide much-needed healthcare to the residents of rural Haiti.

Since our last report, consultations at the clinic have dropped considerably. However, in our Haiti version of “tele-med”, consultations via phone have increased. The residents in the mountains of Fondwa (and elsewhere in rural Haiti) – where superstition and rumor is ever-present – are afraid to come to the clinic. Because they “heard they may be injected with COVID,” they refuse to even attend vaccination days held by the clinic.

Education and communication about COVID in the rural areas at this time is critical, and you can make it happen. 

The APF clinic has provided COVID training for various community groups throughout the region, as well as, for the University of Fondwa (UNIF). Despite our efforts and education, there remain residents (like in the U.S.), that do not abide by the guidelines of the Government of Haiti Ministry of Health (GOH) or the World Health Organization (WHO).

In a joint effort with the APF small working groups, local elected officials, the ti machann (local market women), the motorcycle (taxi) drivers, Radio Zetwal (the APF Radio Station), and the St. Antoine Sisters of Fondwa, we are setting up six public water bucket hand-washing stations. The ti machann have committed to providing soap in each station, while the motorcycle taxi drivers will provide the water each day. Radio Zetwal will continue to educate the people in the community about prevention, and what to do in case of infection.

Here is the March activity of the APF Clinic:

Patients Received: 101

• Children under 5 years: 60
• Vehicle and other accidents that required minor surgery: 10
• Severe malnutrition: One 3-year-old girl
• Diabetes: 4 individuals
• High blood pressure: 13 individuals
• Vaccinated: 16 children

 Here is the April activity at the APF Clinic:

• April Patients seen: 60 (we are seeing a decrease because of COVID fears)
• Under 5 years: 15
• Vehicle and other accidents that required minor surgery: 5
• Malnutrition: Two children less than five years old Diabetes 6
• High blood pressure: 8 individuals
• Vaccinated: 5 vaccines administered in 2 children only because of resident’s COVID fears

Thank you for your partnership. We are very much aware that everyone, everywhere, is impacted by this pandemic. You are in our daily thoughts. Please stay safe.