Change is coming to Haiti… For more than 40 years, doctors and nurses from the Hospital Bienfaisance de Pignon have provided the people of northern Haiti with community health services along with hospital care. The community health services have always been sponsored by the tax paying citizens of the United States through grants from USAID. The following health services are now in jeopardy of continuing.

Infectious Disease

     USAID funded Community Health Workers traveling to rural communities, helping to stem the HIV / AIDS epidemic through prevention, care, and treatment. In the upper plateau catchment of Haiti (served by Hospital Bienfaisance de Pignon), the rate of HIV is currently less than 50% of the national average. During recent outbreaks of cholera, mortality rates around Pignon were below other regions of Haiti. As a result of this program, more than 75% of children in the catchment area are vaccinated against common childhood diseases.

Maternal, Child and Family Health Care

     USAID sponsored nurse practitioners, midwives, doctors, and social workers to educate and support families before, during and after pregnancy. The infant mortality rate within the 145,000-person area is 33% below the national average for Haiti. The rate of maternal mortality is 20% below the national average, even though most patients do not visit the hospital. The program paid for education regarding nutrition, hygiene, and the need for clean water.

Primary Health Care

     USAID provided support for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians and bio medics who provide outpatient healthcare to people of the region, regardless of their ability to pay. The Haitian staff at Hospital Bienfaisance de Pignon (HBP) is trained and equipped to manage emergency trauma, out-patient medicine, in-patient care, X-rays, surgery, and dentistry. In the past, USAID has funded 60% of the diesel fuel required to generate power for the hospital, transport medical supplies and travel to remote clinics.

With change comes growth… The volunteers of Promise for Haiti are extremely thankful for the many decades of support the people of Haiti have received from the citizens of the United States. But that era is ending. This change begs the question, “Who is responsible to care for those who are most in need?” Is it the Haitian government? Is it the citizens of Haiti? Is it faith-based organizations like ours? Or is it philanthropist and everyday do-gooders? We believe the answer to all these questions is YES. We need your prayers and your financial support. If HBP is to continue to serve the poorest of Haiti, we need to shift our source of income from foreign governments to brothers and sisters in Christ.

Will you join us in supporting Hospital Bienfaisance de Pignon? We promise your support will save lives, reduce suffering, and improve living conditions for generations of people to come.