Keeping you up-to-date on Covenant Hospital, Mombin Crochu, Haiti
2008 is starting off with important actions concerning the activities of Covenant Hospital in Mombin Crochu, Haiti.

A four-person team of MBF (Medical Benevolence Foundation) trustees has just returned from Mombin Crochu after a six-day visit during which they surveyed the clinical programs of the hospital, assessed the hospital’s needs, and held several important meetings regarding the focus of mission work at Covenant Hospital for this coming year. We hope that you will read these brief summaries carefully and take the opportunity to update your congregation and mission/service/outreach committees regarding ways in which your congregation may help with the healing mission to the rural people of Haiti.

It is important first to emphasize that Covenant Hospital is open and the staff is busily consulting and giving needed care to patients of the Mombin Crochu region. We witnessed several busy days, and more than a few seriously-ill patients getting the care they need both as in-patients and out-patients of the hospital. A new Haitian staff physician began work during the past week, and another is expected soon. The community health program has expanded and is working throughout the region providing health education and vaccinations.

During the several days onsite, the MBF team held strategic planning meetings with both community leaders and also with regional directors of the Haitian Ministry of Health (MSPP), responsible for day-to-day operation of the hospital. Catagories of need for the hospital were identified and prioritized, and plans were made for focusing on specific program areas where assistance from US congregations through MBF is most essential for the proper function of the hospital.
MEDICATIONS - A CRUCIAL NEED
Perhaps the most crucial need of the hospital is for medications to treat the illnesses of the people. The stock of medicines in the hospital pharmacy and depot is very low – the shelves are nearly bare - and the medical staff is having great difficulty prescribing adequate treatments, particularly of antibiotics, but also for high blood pressure, heart disease, diarrheas, tuberculosis, malaria, and other illnesses.

Most of the essential medicines are available now in Haiti, but demand is high due to high patient loads, and money is badly needed to purchase and re-stock an adequate supply of drugs. Medications are the top priority in our needed support for the hospital.

This is a truly critical need.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Many items of infrastructure at the hospital and mission teams’ guesthouse need our urgent attention and assistance. Although the solar-powered electrical system underwent some much-needed repair in 2007, including installation of a new donated back-up generator, several solar panels need to be replaced and there is much wiring which is substandard and undependable.

The Toyota Land Cruiser is not operational due to breakdowns in several systems. The Army surplus truck (the deuce) is running strong, but needs maintenance to keep it functional. Running water at both the hospital and guesthouse is sporadic at best, as the water pump is working poorly. Repairs, parts, and mission repair/maintenance teams from US churches are much needed.

The hospital laboratory and x-ray departments are hindered from optimum performance due to lack of adequate chemicals and x-ray film.
The MBF team has returned with a call for renewed support of Covenant Hospital. As you can see, this mission for the Haitian people needs our assistance, encouragement, and hands-on involvement. Congregational teams of medical, surgical, and dental personnel can help to provide care for patients and will serve an important teaching function for the Haitian professional staff. Working teams for painting, electrical and plumbing repairs, vehicle work, and other utility effort can help keep the hospital and guesthouse systems in operational order both for the Haitian medical staff and also for the visiting teams of US physicians and other health providers. Financial support is critical for the purchase of medications, clinical supplies and vehicle parts. We must have medicines to provide health care. We must have chemicals to provide lab and x-ray. We must have reliable vehicles to supply this remote hospital and to transport the teams of mission workers.

Please ask your congregation to consider ways in which you may help in this vital work for the health care of the people of Mombin Crochu, Haiti. Contact us so that we can assist in your desire to lend a hand. Together we can do more in the name of Jesus Christ.
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