Supplying Critical Water for Haitian Hospital

In the winter of 2015, 3 volunteer engineers- all board members of Konbit Sante- traveled to Cap- Haitien to work on thewater infrastructure at the Justinein University Hospital(JUH) and Fort San Michel Health Center (FSM).

To prepare for the work, meetings were held to maximize improvements. Volunteer Bob MacKinnon stated, "I participated in several stakeholder meetings involving the JUH utility survey. These included two meetings with the Hospital Administration, one with the Head Nurses of each department, and lastly with the medical equipment technician staff. I was pleasantly surprised that all groups understood the complexity of the issues involved and that the resolution would be a long complicated process. We were made aware of many important issues that we would not have been aware of as a result of the these meetings."

1. Survey of building plumbing at JUH
2. Survey of water distribution system at JUH
3. Chlorination tests
4. Water quality tests throughout hospital
5. Meetings with hospital administration to discuss study and findings
6. Utility survey of FSM
7. Replacement of water heater for sterilizer and preventive maintenance work on sterilizer
8. Repair of water supply for public toilets at JUH
9. Survey of electrical distribution work at JUH including a meeting with the contractor
10. Test softener to hospital  sterilizer

Volunteers worked with Konbit Sante and hospital staff and plan to return again this year. In the meantime, we maintain contact to offer technical advice between visits and continue to fundraise for salaries and supplies for local staff.

PLease contact us with any questions or concernc, or if you have a n interest in volunteering, at 207 347 6733/volunteer@konbitsante.org