We are concerned …
For the children. For the elderly. For the disabled. For the medically compromised. Haiti is going through historically tough times — violent political upheaval, soaring inflation, lack of fuel, acute severe malnutrition, a dearth of clean water, and scariest of all — a return of deadly cholera.
Thankfully, Hôpital Sacré Coeur remains open and unscathed — one in a “count-on-one-hand” group of the 29 hospitals in the nation in service last year. It is no exaggeration to say that Hôpital Sacré Coeur is now one of the last bastions of quality healthcare, hospitality, and civility in the country. We are committed to hold our ground and even expand our services.
We are prepared …
Thankfully, we are prepared. Last year Hôpital Sacré Coeur read the writing on the wall and instituted proactive measures. Fuel use is moderated. Additional fuel tanks were purchased and filled earlier this year to provide a cushion. The hospital partnered with Holy Name’s facilities department to design the\ conversion of the hospital to solar power — a move likely to begin later in 2023. The hospital teamed up with US agriculture professionals to develop a multi-acreage farm that will produce meat, eggs, and produce for hospital patients and employees. A portion of the output will be distributed to the neediest in the community. In 2021, Haiti Health Promise initiated food packathons where community volunteers around the US pack nutritious, vitamin fortified meals of rice and beans to ship to Hôpital Sacré Coeur for local distribution. To date the program has sent over one million meals to the hospital for local distribution.
Our secret weapon? Hôpital Sacré Coeur’s brilliant, devoted, and heroic staff.
Children, the elderly, the disabled, and medically compromised people top the list of most at risk during these times. With nearly half of the 11.5 million populous afflicted with acute severe malnutrition, the number of vulnerable people has grown exponentially. We are concerned that current conditions threaten, not just the quality of their lives, but their precious lives.
At Hôpital Sacré Coeur people are not their diseases, their conditions, or their social strata. Our patients and neighbors are kind, generous, unique individuals with histories and wisdom to share and hands stretched out to help each other and us if they can. Hôpital Sacré Coeur staff know their voices, their stories, their laughs, their tears, and their successes — which is why Hôpital Sacré Coeur staff will move mountains to treat, heal and cherish our patients and neighbors. “Patients First” is not a motto at Hôpital Sacré Coeur, it is a lifestyle. We could regale you for hours with stories about staff who literally risked their lives to help and save patients and community members. Sadly, these days, there are even more such stories to recount.
We are determined…
To hold the line against all threats to our patients and neighbors and to press ahead proactively, strategically, and boldly with new programs, services, and facilities to safeguard and nourish the steadily increasing number of precious lives in our care. If you knew our staff like we do, you would know with great certainty that they will never be bullied into defeat — by individuals or circumstances. They will never compromise the lives placed in their skilled and compassionate hands. Hôpital Sacré Coeur staff are courageous warriors who act justly and humanely.
Hôpital Sacré Coeur has been exceptionally fortunate so far. We are deeply grateful — and realistic. The challenges will continue for the near future. Hôpital Sacré Coeur’s five decades plus track record augers well for our endurance through this current storm of circumstances. Frankly, no alternative exists. Shuttering our doors and abandoning our patients and neighbors is not an option. The price to be paid for that path is too high — sentencing good people to suffering and likely death. That is not who we are.
