Port-au-Prince, January 17, 2025 --- The UNFPA Representative in Haiti, Samir Anouti, and the humanitarian team visited the La Paix University Hospital (HUP) on January 15, 2025. This visit aimed to discuss with the Management and the healthcare staff on the needs and the strengthening of the partnership, according to Mr. Anouti.
The Executive Director of HUP, Dr. Paul Junior Fontilus, thanked UNFPA for its multifaceted support.
UNFPA supports the University Hospital La Paix in the obstetrics and gynecology department, explained the Medical Director, Dr. Jean Philippe Lerbourg. This support consists of a donation of equipment for reproductive health, particularly for childbirth, caesarean sections, family planning and rape victims as well as the safe management of abortions induced by people.
UNFPA strengthens the availability of qualified health personnel in terms of remuneration of seven midwives. This support has a significant and direct impact on the quality of care by increasing the monitoring and care of patients. It allows the prevention, reduction and management of complications. Before this support, the HUP maternity ward had only 2 midwives.
UNFPA is providing support at the operating theatre level through a donation of a caesarean section tray. The support covers the complete renovation of the laundry room with 3 industrial washing machines and the renovation of the physical space.
This donation has made it possible to increase the HUP's capacity to provide sterilized linen to the operating theater within a reasonable time frame and in sufficient quantity.
Joséphine (not her real name) had a caesarean section on November 7, 2024. Her baby is about two months old. She warmly thanks the hospital management and the nursing staff for the care she found very satisfactory. She lived in a displaced persons camp in Delmas, east of Port-au-Prince, which she had to flee because of the violence. She now has five children, four girls and a boy.
Regarding gender-based violence (GBV), care consists of medication to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This care is essential in the care package.
In 2024, the HUP performed 1939 physiological deliveries, 901 cesarean sections and 22 VBG treatments.
Dr. Widler Clerveaux is a resident in the final stages of his studies in pediatrics. He now works in the neonatology sector. In this room of the HUP, the nursing staff takes care of premature babies or babies born with a low birth weight, i.e. 2.5 kilos with associated problems (breathing difficulties for example).
The HUP is among the few hospitals that are functioning in the capital. The State University of Haiti Hospital (HUEH) is closed. After nine months of closure, the Isaïe Jeanty maternity hospital, located in the commune of Cité Soleil, gradually resumed its activities on December 2, 2024. Pregnant women are flocking to these functional hospitals.
Text and photos: Vario Sérant
