9/3/03 - MFP to Open Medical Clinic in Underserved Region of Haiti

MFP has initiated a new health project in the village of Charbe in the mountainous region of central Haiti. Charbe is in a remote area- a six hours truck drive north of Port-au-Prince along a rocky road, and then an hour trek on a mountain path. There are 5000 people in Charbe and the surrounding area. The community has had no health care prior to the opening of the MFP clinic.

The high infant mortality, maternal mortality, and HIV infection rates rank Haiti as having the poorest health in the Western hemisphere. The clinic at Charbe should have an immediate impact on health indicators in this region of Haiti.

MFP has joined with the local health committee, the Alma Mater Hospital in Gros Morne, and Jackie Picard, RN to construct the facility, stock the pharmacy, equip the facility, and train staff to operate the clinic. It is anticipated that MFP physicians and visiting medical students will assist in the ongoing training of staff, and health care delivery.

A well trained nurse assistant will care for many of the common health problems in the clinic. In addition to medical treatment, the clinic will focus on health maintenance and disease prevention. This will include vaccination programs, nutrition supplement administration, well baby program, AIDS and sexually transmitted disease detection and education programs.

The clinic is scheduled to be opened on December 1, 2003.

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