Taryn Medical Clinic & Birthing Center in Larevwa

Healthcare in Rural Haiti

Haiti ranks last in the western hemisphere for adequate healthcare. There are only 25 physicians, 11 nurses and 1 midwife per 100,000 population. Only one-fourth of births are attended by a skilled health professional. Most rural areas have no access to health care, making residents susceptible to otherwise treatable diseases. Deficient sanitation systems, poor nutrition, and inadequate health services have pushed Haiti to the bottom of the World Bank’s rankings of health indicators. According to the United Nations World Food Program, 80 percent of Haiti’s population lives below the poverty line. In fact, 75% of the Haitian population lives on less than $2.50 per day. Consequently, malnutrition is a significant problem. The World Health Organization estimates that only 43 percent of the target population receives the recommended immunizations. In 2013, there were approximately 800 primary care facilities in Haiti, with only 43% of these facilities being classified as good for accessible care. The 2015 maternal mortality rate per 100,000 births for Haiti was 359. The under age 5 mortality rate, per 1,000 births is 89 and the neonatal mortality was 28 per 1000. The lifetime risk of death for pregnant women is 1 in 93. Political, economic, and social instability of the country has resulted in insufficient resources to educate and provide care for pregnant women.

Lilian and Cassandra Teaching Children about Hygiene

We have made considerable progress in nutrition and clean water in the area where we work. However, this area is relatively remote and has little access to adequate healthcare. We have recently purchased property in the village of Larevwa are now in the beginning stages of building a medical clinic. We have been able to assist Lilian Baptiste in her work toward a degree in nursing at FSIL, which is part of the Episcopal University in Leogane Haiti. Lilian has recently completing her fourth year of classes and is now completing her clinicals and theses. She will be graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in December of 2020. She is hoping to go on to receive her Master’s Degree and license as a Nurse Practitioner. When Lilian completes her education, she will return to Larevwa where she will serve the community in the medical clinic. Because of the extreme shortage of healthcare providers in Haiti, Nurse Practitioners are authorized to provide diagnoses and treatment without the supervision of a Doctor. We have, however, made contact with hospitals in Port au Prince area and discussed the possibility of developing a relationship between the clinic that we establish and the hospital. We have also been working with another graduating nursing student who will serve the community by working in the clinic. Cassandra Mirtyl Vanelie, like Lilian, is very interested in returning to her home village to practice nursing. We will assist Cassandra to go on and receive a master’s degree and certification as a midwife. Lilian and Cassandra have worked together in the community by putting on hygiene demonstrations and distributing supplies to the children in Larevwa.

While funding for the clinic and birthing center has been interrupted by the corona virus, Love the Children and Taryn Community Center are continuing to move ahead with our plans for this crucial medical facility. Already, the men of the village, along with many of the high school children are leveling the lot and digging for the footer. Next, we will help them buy the materials and they will begin to manufacture concrete blocks. As funds become available, we will help them purchase other necessary building materials and they will supply 100% of the labor. Please help us with a gift, designated to the Taryn Medical Resource Center.