Dr. Jean-Hughes Jerome, M.D., MSc,

Our recently completed health assessment (June, 2005)shows that the H.O.P.E. clinic is widely seen as the sole functional health facility within a day’s travel. Although there is a hospital at Borgne, the services are very limited – with no Emergency, Maternity, Operating Room, or Laboratory facilities. Staffed by two first-year medical school graduates, the hospital has almost no capability to respond to significant health problems endemic to the region. The result is that any illness or injury that is outside of the capabilities of the staff must be referred to Cap Haitien – typically a day’s travel from Borgne. Consequently, many lives are lost and critical health needs overlooked by the lack of an adequate medical staff and facilities.

The expansion project will link the successful H.O.P.E. clinic’s capabilities, with the MSPP hospital to build a fully functional medical facility for the community. Anticipated improvements include round the clock emergency care, maternity services, and facilities for minor operations and procedures.

This project will also extend H.O.P.E.’s Community Services/Education programs to the outlying villages and habitations through community health workers. This is critical to provide first-line vaccination, inoculation, and education to prevent disease and begin early diagnosis of chronic disease in the remote regions.

Project Resources Needed:

• Funding for Hospital infrastructure
• Staff salaries for local health care professionals and technicians
• Funding for medications
• Support of global NGO’s for TB, Malaria, HIV, and Malnutrition Treatment

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