On Saturday, January 14th, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti, Peter F. Mulrean visited Hôpital Sacré-Coeur (HSC) in Milot to commemorate HSC’s PEPFAR partnership with the U.S. Embassy, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB). HSC CEO, Dr. Harold Prévil, welcomed Amb. Mulrean, representatives from the CDC and CMMB, and other visitors: “I think it would be hard to overstate the importance of this partnership to our hospital and the people we serve. U.S. acts of altruism like PEPFAR have saved lives and given hope to countless Haitians.”
“The United States Government is honored and humbled to partner with Hôpital Sacré-Coeur and the Catholic Medical Mission Board to provide quality health services to the people living in Northern Haiti.” Ambassador Mulrean told the gathering. “As the largest private hospital and public health provider of the Northern Department of Haiti, you play an invaluable role in the community.”
The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is the U.S. Government initiative to help save the lives of those suffering from HIV/AIDS around the world. It is the largest initiative ever launched to combat the sufferings imposed by a single disease internationally. HSC receives substantial PEPFAR support from the CDC, through its implementing partner, CMMB.
“The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have partnered with the Catholic Medical Mission Board and Hôpital Sacré-Coeur since 2005,” explained Ambassador Mulrean. “Thanks to this collaboration 2,300 people living with HIV/AIDS are receiving care and treatment at Hôpital Sacré-Coeur.”
In addition to PEPFAR, Dr. Prévil noted that for more than 30-years HSC has been the beneficiary of important U.S. assistance programs including USAID’s Maternal and Child Survival Project and a variety of CDC-funded initiatives.
Amb. Mulrean dedicated a plaque commemorating the PEPFAR partnership at HSC. Following the dedication ceremony, Ambassador Mulrean toured the hospital and met with patients, staff and volunteers. Amb. Mulrean is the first U.S. ambassador to visit HSC.
