Run a Maternity and Neonatal Unit in Haiti

July is budget time at the hospital in Haiti and it's often a time that can highlight the impact that we've had in the last year, but also the remaining needs and challenges. As co-founders and principle partners, HHA plays its part in setting the future direction of the hospital. 

The truth is, thanks to the support of all of our amazing friends, there is so much to be positive about in Haiti, especially in the field of maternal health. With more mothers than ever giving birth in hospital and our community outreach programme delivering health education and safe home birthing to marginalised mothers all over the Cap-Hatien region, the impact our programmes and the facility care being developed cannot be understated.

Growth in hospital deliveries and neonatal patients has been staggering over the last year, fuelled by the government hospital strikes. In response, increasing the hospital's capacity to meet the regional needs in maternity and neonatal care is a top priority for the coming year and future years. But for an organisations with limited resources, decisions to invest in one area often come at a cost for another.

Too many times have the medical staff been faced with heart wrenching situations where the lack of specialist medical staff, or lack of essential equipment, has meant someone has gone without the care they need. One critical shortage for our hospital is that we only have one anaesthetist to cover all surgeries. On numerous occasions he would be in an operation at the same time as another required emergency surgery; the result is sometimes tragic. So this year, the decision was jointly made to recruit a second anaesthetist to reduce the chances of this in the future.

However, this decision will mean that other parts of the hospital have reduced support or face closure. For organisations working in the developing world with limited resources, these kind of budgeting dilemmas are part of our work and something we have to face.

There are many good news stories from the investment in hospital services. Thanks to your support, the hospital's first ever blood bank is now complete and for years to come will help countless lives be saved with quick and reliable access to blood. As ever challenges still remain with a national blood shortage leading to a delay in the opening of the new service. But we're delighted this important new service will be opening soon.

Thank you so much for your continued support.

Links:

• HHA maternal health work