Dear Donors, Family, Board Members, and Friends,
Despite the complex challenges of Haiti's current multifaceted crisis, ranging from economic hardship, inadequate health care, and security gaps which underscore the indispensability of a comprehensive approach to alleviate suffering and protect the vulnerable, the impact of HAM and the team on the ground has been exceptional during this challenged 2023 year.
HAM has been a pillar of Ste. Thérèse Hospital, the 80-bed hospital located in Miragoâne in the Nippes department providing 100% of anesthesia care and anesthesia drugs, 100% of orthopedic and traumatological care, 80% of overall surgical care, and 50% of midwifes activities. Additionally, HAM plays a key role in building leadership capabilities by mentoring senior’s residents, coaching senior hospital executives and helping them manage the supply chain.
HAM also supports surgical equity one full week per month in the 35-bed Community Hospital in Port-Salut in the southern region and is responsible for operating on 100% of pediatric surgery patients. In fact, Haiti only has 4 pediatric surgeons, 3 in Port-au-Prince and one in the northern region. Due to the scarcity of qualified surgical specialists and subspecialists in those regions, one of the most challenging and important planning strategies, therefore, was to build a highly skilled team that can handle different types of surgery with competence and trust.
Thus, behind every positive action and impact there are a lot of sacrifices and contributions, so I address my own gratitude to:
1) My direct family and friends who are taking care of my children while I am on the ground in Haiti operating on patients that are stuck in their area due the violence and armed group activities which are creating a direct interference on humanitarian operations and access to human basic rights.
2) To the trusted and resilient Healing Art Missions board members and continuing donors, you are the cornerstone and the blood life of every accomplishment of HAM in Haiti.
3) To the HAM team on the ground in Haiti specially the HAM’s mobile team who have always been with me in the operating room.
4) To our local partners: The Ste. Thérèse Hospital staff , Port-Salut Community Hospital staff, the Health Ministry (MSPP), Planification Ministry (MPCE), and our partners at Hope for Haiti.
5) Towards our past, present, and future patients who believed in our services, they are the essence of our commitment.
Even if the Haitian authorities fail to pursue and respect Article 19 of the Haitian Constitution which clearly specifies that "the State has the absolute obligation to guarantee the right to life, to health, and to respect for human person for all citizens without distinction,” at HAM we firmly believe in the right of all Haitians to access fundamental services such safe drinking water, education, equitable health care, employment and housing. These are important because these rights are a social justice issue and are in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Thank you for your full support and with gratitude and full appreciation I wish you a healthy happy new year.
Dr Jean Fritz Jacques, MD, MBA, CEO Medical Director, HAM
https://healthcluster.who.int/newsroom/news/item/05-09-2023-haiti-health-cluster-navigating-a-multifaceted-humanitarian-crisis