Project HOPE Bolsters Health of Haitians Determined to Succeed in Post-Earthquake Era
As Haitians went to the polls Sunday, March 20, to choose a new leader, Project HOPE is reaffirming its commitment to provide long-term care to thousands of Haitians rebuilding their lives after Haiti’s devastating earthquake.
International humanitarian aid and health education organization offers hope and healing in Haiti
As Haitians went to the polls Sunday, March 20, to choose a new leader, Project HOPE, an international health education and humanitarian assistance organization, is reaffirming its commitment to provide long-term care to thousands of Haitians rebuilding their lives after Haiti’s devastating earthquake.
Project HOPE helped to create a new rehabilitation facility at Adventist Hospital in Diquini, near Port-au-Prince, known as “Chanje Lavi,” which means Changing Lives in Creole. At the rehab center, health professionals have already begun fitting patients with new prosthetic limbs. In May, the rehab center will officially open with a ceremony to be attended by Haiti’s Secretary of State for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Michel Pean.
Project HOPE Haiti Representative, Charles Prospere, says long-term medical care is crucial and new patients are eager to start physical and occupational therapy — medical services that did not exist in the community a year ago. “Over the past year, we have witnessed the tremendous determination of Haitians to rebuild their lives after the earthquake. The new rehabilitation facility will help Haitians continue to heal and build strength, stability and hope for the future,” said Prospere.
Project HOPE launched a multi-year rehabilitation medicine program to care for between 3,000 and 5,000 amputees. A group of U.S. volunteers and local Haitian workers joined the effort and assembled three modular buildings on the grounds of the Adventist Hospital, including a 24 X 40 foot rehab center, housing for international volunteers and housing for patients being fitted for prosthetic limbs. Last year, Project HOPE sent more than 100 volunteer doctors, nurses and medical technicians to Haiti and delivered more than $60 million of medicines and supplies after the earthquake.
Immediately following the earthquake in January 2010, HOPE partnered with the U.S. Navy to provide emergency medical care aboard the hospital ship USNS Comfort. Later in the year, HOPE brought an international team of cholera experts to Haiti to train local health care professionals.
“Project HOPE remains committed to providing long-term health care solutions for the people of Haiti with volunteer medical professionals and donated medicines to help communities build healthier, stronger lives,” said Prospere.
About Project HOPE
Founded in 1958, Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere) is dedicated to providing lasting solutions to health crises, with the mission of helping people to help themselves. Identifiable to many by the SS HOPE, the world’s first peacetime hospital ship, Project HOPE now conducts land-based medical training and health education programs in 35 countries across five continents.