Celebrating One Year of CHIDA

It seems like just yesterday that we were so excited to share that the Community Hospital IDADEE (CHIDA) opened its doors. CHIDA has been open for a year now, and the leadership of Dr. Wislyn and the unwavering dedication of the hospital staff have made CHIDA’s first year incredible.

In its first year:

• 9,614 patients have visited CHIDA.

• 1,074 people have received care in the Emergency Room.

• 124 babies were born at CHIDA.

• The Community Health Program has grown to include 1,030 families. When a family joins the Community Health Program, a staff person visits twice a month to provide preventative care and deliver routine medication. Community Health Program workers currently care for 163 severely malnourished children.

Dr. Wislyn giving a tour of CHIDA

A Community Health Program meeting. The program has grown to include 1,030 families in one year.

Haiti Medical Clinic is OPEN!

A nurse takes the temperature of a patient at the newly opened CHIDA Hospital in Cap Haitien, Haiti.

Crowds gathered to receive medical care on opening day at the newly opened CHIDA Hospital in Cap Haitien, Haiti.

Dr. Wislyn Avenard (PKF Medical Director in Haiti) poses for a photo outside of the newly opened CHIDA Hospital in Cap Haitien, Haiti.

Dr. Wislyn Avenard in his office at the newly opened CHIDA Hospital in Cap Hatien, Haiti

The staff poses for a photo just outside of the newly opened CHIDA Hospital in Cap Haitien, Haiti

A young girl gets her height and weight measurements taken at the the newly opened CHIDA Hospital in Cap Haitien, Haiti

A young child receives medical care at the newly opened CHIDA Hospital in Cap Haitien, Haiti

A patient sits on a hospital bed in the newly opened CHIDA Hospital in Cap Haitien, Haiti

Dedication Day festivities at the newly opened CHIDA Hospital in Cap Haitien, Haiti

We can not believe the day has finally come. The Medical Clinic is open for business! It was scheduled to open on October 8.  But, due to the many hurricanes that we experienced this year, its official opening day was November 12 and there were 300 people there hoping and waiting for much-needed care. We knew there was a need, but we did not expect so many people on day one!
 
Officially named Community Hospital IDADEE (CHIDA), it is now a beacon of hope for the people there. It is well equipped with four doctors and eight nurses, operating rooms, medications and all the essential medical equipment. To say that this community hospital is life-changing is quite the understatement. It will save lives, ensure jobs, and provide hope for the Haitian community.
 
Dr. Wislyn Avenard grew up at EBAC Orphanage and earnestly pursued medical training so that he could take care of his community. He and the other medical personnel at the hospital are like-minded in their approach to health and caring for the people that they see every day.
 
With all of this in mind, we have a few prayer requests: Once you start to meet medical needs, you can’t just stop. These people need to know that their pain is coming to an end and that we aren’t going anywhere. So please, continue to pray for God’s provision. Also, pray that these beautiful Haitian people leave with more than a physical healing. We want them to know His healing power in their lives. We want them to know Jesus.