Christian Mission of Pignon is proceeding with the construction of a twelve bedroom, four full bathroom facility that will accommodate twelve expecting mothers within the grounds of Hôpital Bienfaisance de Pignon.  The Maternity Housing Project will be staffed by nurses with an obstetrician on-call 24hours/day.  This facility will provide housing for mothers before and after delivery if recommended.  The project represents a momentous step in ensuring better monitoring for high risk pregnant mothers. They will have access to medical treatment at all hours of the day and night.  Currently if a patient is determined to be in need of closer observation but did not meet criteria for hospital admission she has no choice but to return back home. 

        

Ground preparation for Maternity Housing Project

The current rates for Haiti’s generalized high maternal and infant mortality are attributed primarily to high-risk deliveries at home.  The conditions attributed to high risk pregnancies include multiparity, preeclampsia/ eclampsia, and anemia.  In circumstances where these conditions are monitored, they can be easily managed and treated.  The factors currently that hinder patients from accessing medical care include transportation, weather and housing. 

               

        

Phase two: from the ground up – scaffolding

The current mortality rates are attributed to mothers that are unable to travel to the hospital close to the time of delivery.  Most of Haiti lacks a reliable transportation infrastructure including buses or taxis, reliable roadways and bridges.  These challenges are further worsened during the rainy season where dirt roads become muddy and cause local traffic to get stuck into ditches.  During the rainy season flooding causes bridges to wash away; even walking becomes virtually impossible.  If circumstances permitted for a woman to be able to travel to the hospital and the doctor determined her in need for frequent monitoring, there are insufficient local accommodations as well people cannot afford to self pay to stay near the hospital.

Dr. Liz Babu visited Hospital Bienfaisance and saw the need. Upon returning to the United States, she sought advice from Dr. Conrad Fischer and many others in New York and set out to help Dr. Guy solve this precarious condition. JEREMY’s HEART is well on the way to become a reality.  The building is going up daily, and soon Hospital Bienfaisance will be able to support many more families and save mothers at risk.

 CMP receiving check from donor in New York

 

THANK YOU!