APF Medical Laboratory will expand health-care services and spotlight community health education in Fondwa. “ …There are many possibilities for our clinic and laboratory. We want to continue our training and learn new skills. We want to share our knowledge with others.” From the Fondwa Laboratory Mission Statement, 2004     These words (as translated from Creole) are part of the mission statement composed by the Fondwa Clinic Staff. The hope and generosity of spirit they express cannot be betrayed by the recent political instability that has propelled Haiti into the media spotlight or by the chronic lack of material resources that have long plagued this troubled country. The first Fondwa Laboratory Training Program was conducted in Fondwa from February 4-12, 2004. The sessions were attended by six Haitian healthcare workers and facilitated by Partners in Progress Board Member, Rosemary Edwards, MD. The didactic sessions were practically oriented and combined with hands on skills training and role playing by the staff, followed by direct observation with patients. The goal was to conduct clinically relevant training sessions based on the principles of adult learning and when appropriate a “Train the Trainer” approach. One of the initial challenges encountered was the lack of training materials available in the native language, Creole. Therefore, a Laboratory Training and Procedure Manual was developed in English and Creole. This manual will serve as a resource to the clinic staff, visiting healthcare teams and will be offered as a shared resource to other healthcare workers in Haiti. The educational topics covered included: Communication and Working Together, The Role of the Laboratory in Patient Care, Preparing for Patient Testing, General Principles of Laboratory Safety, Waste Disposal and Quality Practices and General Principles of Anemia and Pregnancy Testing. Before long, the staff was eager to step out of the more formal classroom setting, put on their lab coats and begin the process of acquiring the skills necessary to become a laboratory professional and a member of the health care team. They began by discussing their goals and objectives and writing a Fondwa Laboratory Mission Statement.  Each participant took a turn as patient and then laboratory worker as they practiced patient communication skills, phlebotomy (blood drawing) techniques, anemia and pregnancy testing, making blood smears for microscopic analysis and administering laboratory first aid. Together, a Fondwa Quality Plan and Fondwa Safety Plan were written and organization and space planning sessions also took place as a means to address concerns by the staff regarding patient privacy and confidentiality. A cooperative educational program on anemia was held with the Fondwa Clinic Staff and twelve women health promoters as part of an ongoing community education program facilitated by Renate Schneider, International Volunteer and Secretary, University of Fondwa.  The health promoters serve as a liaison between the more formal healthcare system and the community at large.  By encouraging the two groups (the more formal and informal healthcare workers) to come together for learning and discussion, it is anticipated that communication will be enhanced between the natural leaders in the community. Both groups will also have the opportunity to participate in the community health screening for anemia. This will take place at the Fondwa St. Antoine’s Primary School under the direction of Family Health Ministries of Durham, North Carolina in Spring 2004. As with most Fondwa community projects, the medical laboratory initiative is the result of collaborative efforts.  Individual donor contributions and a College of American Pathologists Foundation Grant provided funding for the laboratory equipment and initial operating costs. A second grant was also received, (from the Hackett Foundation with the assistance of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Kansas) for the purchase and installation of a stand alone Photovoltaic System (solar electricity) to provide power for the laboratory and clinic. This system was installed in early September 2003 ensuring a reliable source of electricity for the clinic and laboratory. The Photovoltaic system will provide sufficient power for a refrigerator, lighting, a microscope and centrifuge and will also allow for additional power (photovoltaic panels) as the testing array expands in the future. The next laboratory training session is scheduled for June 2004. Partners in Progress and the Fondwa Staff are grateful for the opportunity to work together to improve community healthcare in Fondwa! Return to Previous Page