Tuesday, January 18, 2011

ARTICLE - MSF MODULAR HOSPITAL - TABARRE

HAITI: EIB DONATION CONTRIBUTES TO FINANCING MODULAR HOSPITAL
(ReliefWeb) - Source: European Investment Bank (EIB)

A Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) modular surgical hospital will soon be operational in the municipality of Tabarre in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital, a project to which the EIB has contributed €600,000 in grant financing.

The hospital, built in prefabricated containers, will help provide access to health services free of charge to the population of Port au Prince, i.e. around 3,500,000 people and should perform some 130 surgeries per month. The MSF hospital will be a reference centre for orthopaedic, visceral and paediatric surgery. It is also expected to fill a gap in the health needs of the Haitian population specifically targeting traumatism, the first cause of mortality in the country. It will be equipped with three operation theatres, an intensive care unit, radiology and laboratory services, a pharmacy, consultation rooms and rehabilitation unit and some 110 beds.

Project implementation is already ongoing. The laying of the foundations and the electricity, water and sanitation works are currently taking place in preparation for the arrival of the prefabricated containers expected in a few weeks. The project should be completed and fully operational in September.

The earthquake in January 2010 destroyed much of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, and left around 1 million people homeless. As soon as it was possible, the EIB undertook a mission to the island and held discussions with NGOs and other actors to help identify how to contribute to post-earthquake reconstruction. A few months later, EIB President, Philippe Maystadt signed a grant agreement with Médecins Sans Frontières to finance the construction of a modular surgical container hospital in Tabarre. The EIB institutional donation will be complemented by the voluntary EIB staff contribution of EUR 24,541 that will help buy an anaesthesia ventilator and an operating table for the hospital.

No comments: