Posted on January 11, 2012

Red Cross Commits Additional $3.6 Million to Project Medishare in Haiti

The American Red Cross has announced an additional $3.6 million commitment to Hospital Bernard Mevs' Project Medishare's in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

The commitment, which boosts to $8.6 million the amount pledged by the Red Cross to the hospital since a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the Caribbean nation two years ago, will be used over the next year to cover costs, including operating expenses and administrative fees, at the sole critical care and trauma service facility in the country. The hospital, which has a staff of more than 160 — including a dozen full-time international staff — treats more than 350 patients a day and is equipped with a modern medical laboratory, a pharmacy, advanced imaging technology, and intensive care units for both adults and children.

"What is important to recognize, aside from the countless lives that are being saved, is that because of the American Red Cross support, a capacity-building program has been created that offers hope, education, and survival for future generations of Haitians," said Project Medishare co-founder and president Dr. Barth Green. "Our goal is to turn Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare into a self-sustaining healthcare facility by the end of this grant period, which by itself will be a historic first in Haiti. None of this would be possible without the vision, extraordinary commitment, and support from the American Red Cross."