Provide access to healthcare in rural Haiti

Greetings from rural Haiti: 

As you know, Haiti is experiencing many challenges in 2021, Corruption, political instability, vulnerability to natural disasters, gang violence, COVID 19, and a continued decline in services for the rural poor, to name a few. However, in Fondwa, the rural community has been organizing itself for over three decades to provide for themselves services the government cannot, or will not, provide. The APF Fondwa Clinic, which you have so generously supported the past year through GlobalGiving, is just one of these efforts. With the clinic, the residents of the Fondwa Haiti region would have no access to medical services. 

Unfortunately, during the month of January and February 2021 there was no doctor at the clinic. Our devoted Director, Dr. Elizabeth Brea, had to leave Haiti in order to take care of her own health challenges. The nurses, however, remained at the clinic. 

Beginning March 1, the APF Fondwa clinic welcomed a new physician, Dr. Farda Cherefrent. Dr. Cherefrent is Haitian, and obtained her medical degree in the Dominican Republic. Dr. Farda and Dr. Elizabeth are in constant communication,and Dr. Farda is very excited about her work in the Fondwa region. Welcome Dr. Farda, and thank you for your service! 

Since January, 379 patients have been seen, of which 124 are adults and 224 are children under 4 years of age. The most relevant in these months has been the significant increase in patients who have come to have their children vaccinated, as well as pregnant patients. During the past year, mothers were hesitant to have their children vaccinated for fear of COVID-19, but now they are coming back. This is a positive trend. Routine vaccines are now being administered, however there are still no vaccines in Haiti for COVID-19.

In March 139 vaccinations were given and in April 133 vaccinations were given in the community (remember that a child can receive several vaccinations at the same time). A total of 37 pregnant women were vaccinated, a record number. The clinic has planned vaccinations on the third Thursday of each month. Having a set date for this health care is key to having members of this rural community show up and receive the care they, and their children, require. 

To reach out even further into the mountains, nurses from the Ministry of Health are incorporated to vaccinate children in areas far from the clinic, taking advantage of the clinic’s refrigerator provided by the Ministry of Health. 

On vaccination day when there is the advantage of having women gathered, the clinic gives a presentation to mothers present. These talks include the importance of vaccinations, reproductive health, hygiene, etc. 

In addition to the vaccination and women’s health work of the clinic, accidents – mostly motorcycle accidents – remain consistent. Motorcycles have become a main source of transportation throughout the country, and accidents are frequent. However, this quarter, we had an accident involving a man in the countryside who was kicked by a horse in the mouth. He was treated at the clinic, requiring minor surgery and repair of the lip area.

Cervical cancer, hypertension, diabetes and other pathologies remain constant and common.

We know there are many, many needs in the world. This has been a challenging year for everyone. But, we hope you consider supporting us this year. In rural Haiti your donation can be leveraged to reach so many people that would otherwise not have the medical services we provide. 

Thank you. Mesi.