We received word and some very encouraging photos from Dr. Eugene that the New Hope Hospital had its opening ceremony on Thursday! If you remember from only 18 months ago, we were standing on a newly poured foundation, with rebar everywhere, but not much else. Talk about a Herculean effort in such a short amount of time!
The beauty of this project is that only Haitian labor was used to construct all three floors, all the way down to the finishing touches of tile work and painting. Some American teams did donate their engineering talents (such as the non-profit, Dlo Geri, which added a working water system throughout the hospital), but day in and day out, Haitians made this hospital come alive. It has been very exciting to see Dr. Eugene’s dream become a reality.
In its opening weekend, the hospital saw 51 patients on Friday and 80 on Saturday. In the pictures that follow, you can even see the microscope and centrifuge donated by Espwa getting some use!
While we’ve supported the hospital construction effort, we know there is more work to be done. We hope to fill a sea container with medical equipment and other needed items in early 2017. Be on the lookout for how you can help in the coming months. There was also a fundraiser started by one of our supporters who is trying to purchase an ambulance for the hospital (click here to see it). For a community that has never had access to legitimate health care, the hospital is a game changer. We want to ensure it has the tools it needs to remain sustainable for the long haul.
Can’t wait to send our first medical team down to support Doc and the new hospital next spring.