In Haiti, first phase of construction at Mirebalais Hospital nears completion

For the past 18 months, construction crews have worked tirelessly to build Mirebalais National Teaching Hospital, an impressive 180,000 sq. ft. complex that will soon be home to Haiti’s largest public teaching and referral hospital. Scheduled to open in 2012, the project is the cornerstone of PIH's efforts to help the country rebuild following the devastating 2010 earthquake. At a time when Haiti desperately needs skilled professionals, the facility will provide high-quality education for the next generation of Haitian nurses, medical students, and resident physicians.

Before a massive earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, PIH had been planning to build a new community hospital in Mirebalais, a city just 30 miles north of Port-au-Prince. Then the earthquake struck, leaving most of the health facilities in and around Haiti’s capital in ruins. Responding to an urgent appeal from the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP), PIH quickly scaled up its plans.

Just two years after the earthquake, Mirebalais Hospital is only months away from opening its doors to patients seeking outpatient health services. When complete, the 320-bed hospital will accommodate an estimated 500 ambulatory visits each day and require the services of hundreds Haitians employees — becoming the largest single source of employment in the area.

By the close of 2012, PIH will roll out expanded services like maternal and child health, radiology, CT scans, and surgical care. In early- to mid-2013, special services will begin, including neonatal intensive care and expanded surgical operations. In mid-2013, advanced medical and nursing education and training will begin at the hospital, with Haitian students receiving training in comprehensive and innovative care.

Once the hospital is running at full capacity, it will have over 30 outpatient consultation rooms, six operating rooms, and space to host trainings with over 200 participants. It will offer innovative technology — some of which was previously unavailable in Haiti — including digital radiography, a full-body CT scanner, teleconferencing capabilities, solar panels that will fully power the hospital during the day, on-site waste water treatment, and wall-mounted oxygen for over 60 percent of inpatient beds. The hospital is also designed to withstand earthquakes and high-winds from tropical storms. 

The hospital will be operated in partnership with the national government. Over time, financial responsibility for the hospital will gradually transition from PIH to the government, with the government assuming control of most of the facility by 2021. 

Read more stories about the construction of Mirebalais Hospital.
Learn more about Mirebalais Hospital.