COVENANT HOSPITAL NETWORK E-NEWSLETTER

Keeping you up-to-date on Covenant Hospital, Mombin Crochu, Haiti

September, 2007

CHANGES FOR COVENANT HOSPITAL PARTNERSHIP

Following a prayerful and intense review of the various shared health missions in Haiti, the Presbyterian Church (USA), Medical Benevolence Foundation, and the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti have decided to discontinue their three-member partnership for operating Covenant Hospital in Mombin Crochu. This decision, made during a regular meeting of the three organizations held in Port-au-Prince in May, reflects primarily a change in mission emphasis and capability for the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti.  Because of the isolated location of Mombin Crochu and limited numbers of Diocese administrators, it has become increasingly difficult for Episcopal Diocese leadership to devote sufficient time and effort to their involvement in the shared mission at Covenant Hospital and still be engaged in operating other important healthcare ministries.  While regrets are expressed among all the partners, it is thought best to relieve the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti of responsibilities concerning Covenant Hospital at this time. A brief period of discontinued service has been experienced at the hospital as part of this change.

Presbyterian Church (USA), Medical Benevolence Foundation, and the Covenant Hospital Network are maintaining their commitment together for the support and promotion of Covenant Hospital and improved health care for the people of this very remote and poor region of Haiti.  We will continue to encourage and assist self-reliance in health care by the Haitian people themselves through support of workable health programs for the hospital and the region managed by the Haitian Ministry of Health (MSPP).  At present our MSPP physicians and nurses are available at the hospital for emergency care situations, and it is hoped that full hospital service will be restored within a short time. 

PRESBYTERIAN MISSION TEAMS TO VISIT COVENANT HOSPITAL

Although administrative changes are underway, health needs among these very needy people at Mombin Crochu continue and experienced Covenant Hospital mission teams are responding.   Al Atz and Chis Rodenbough, both with long-time facility and vehicle maintenance skills, represent Orchard Park Presbyterian Church and will be at the hospital in mid-September to do repair work on the Toyota wagon and the big deuce truck. Both these vehicles are critical for health mission teams and hospital supplies. Chis and Al will catalog the needs of the physical facilities at the hospital and guesthouse to assist planning for future team missions and our continuing support of the mission of the Covenant Hospital.

Later this September, Dr. Sylvia Campbell will again lead a surgical team to Covenant Hospital in cooperation with the MSPP physicians to perform needed operations for the people of the Mombin Crochu area.  Dr. Campbell is well-known in the region as a compassionate surgeon who has performed life-saving surgical procedures for those in need, and the entire team is welcomed by the community and by the staff of the hospital for their surgical and teaching skills.

Covenant Hospital continues to be a facility which not only is providing excellent care for the most destitute and ill Haitian people, but also provides an excellent opportunity for mission groups who wish to participate in the ministry of Jesus Christ in Haiti. Visit the web site of Covenant Hospital Network (www.covenanthospitalnetwork.org) and ask us for assistance in forming a healthcare mission from your church. All varieties of skills are needed – the only requirement is a willing Spirit.

ASK ABOUT US – PRAY ABOUT US – JOIN WITH US

For many congregations, mission and service committees will soon be resuming regular meetings, setting goals and making budget requests to church sessions for 2008. The Covenant Hospital Network is working hard to bring you important information so that you will be able to recommend the healing mission at Covenant Hospital in Haiti as a valuable, meaningful project you and your congregation will want to be engaged with and support.  We are making good effort and progress for financial controls, accountability procedures, and healthy growth for the hospital’s medical programs and staff by working with Haitian health authorities, and also through PC (USA)’s International Health Ministries Office and the Medical Benevolence Foundation. We invite questions about any aspect of the mission at Covenant Hospital, and ask you and your congregation to liberally support this labor in Jesus Christ with your heartfelt prayers for the poor and sick in rural Haiti, and with Spirit-guided financial contributions.

Together we can do more.  Check us out at www.covenanthospitalnetwork.org,  Just write us an e-mail to ask questions.

Previous Articles:

June 2007