In Haiti the majority of births take place at home with the assistance of traditional birth assistants (TBAs).  TBAs are familiar members of the community and provide services at a cost that poor households can afford.  TBAs, however, do not have the skills or equipment to manage complications when they arise.  And there is no public ambulance to call in Cap-Haitien to transport the women to a medical facility.  

In partnership with TBAs, community members, and local health centers, Konbit Sante is piloting a project that identifies and provides transportation for pregnant women experiencing emergency complications during childbirth.  Konbit Sante staff trains TBAs to recognize the onset of complications. Each is provided a phone and is paired with at least two community members with cars.  When called, these community members respond immediately to provide women transport to the nearest health center that offers emergency obstetrical services.  

Since the start of this project in January 2011, nearly 20 maternal deaths or injuries have been avoided as a result of this project.  This is only one way that Konbit Sante and our partners are working to improve maternal and child health in northern Haiti.

CAP-HAITIAN, HAITI - Dr. Jean Dubé has been appointed Executive Director of the Justinian University Hospital in Cap-Haitien, Haiti.  The change became official March 14 in a presentation by Dr. Gabriel Timothée, Director General of the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP).   Dr. Dubé replaces Mr. Pierre Chavannes, who has been promoted to another position at the departmental MSPP office.  Konbit Sante has had the pleasure of working with Mr. Chavannes during the past several years and we wish him well in his new position.  Dr. Jean Gracia Coq remains in his position as Medical Director at the hospital, and Dr. Robert Jasmin continues in his position as MSPP director for the north. 

Dr. Dubé, a urologist, has been working on urology collaborations with Konbit Sante volunteer Dr. Samuel Broaddus for nearly a decade.  In addition to his urology training and responsibilities, Dr. Dubé has received advanced training in public management and has been a driving force in the hospital’s efforts to clean up hazardous waste on the hospital grounds.  We welcome the appointment of Dr. Dubé to his new responsibilities and we look forward to working with him in his new position at Justinian Hospital. 

Construction has just begun on the renovations and expansion of the clinic space at the Health Center in Fort San Michel.  This project, with funding support from MINUSTAH, will dramatically improve the space for pediatric, maternity, TB, family planning, and other community services.  The Fort Saint Michel Health Center is one of the primary health facilities that Konbit Sante works to strengthen.