The purpose of this Committee is to asses and address the health care needs of the men, women and children of Baptiste, Haiti. By establishing a cohesive strategic plan in collaboration with the Minister of Health and Partners In Health/Zanmi Lasante (PIH/ZL), focusing on short, intermediate and long term goals as well as developing a network of partnerships with priorities clearly stratified, we hope to meet these goals.

The small clinic in Baptiste currently sees about 50-60 patients per day, offering basic care including immunizations, prenatal care and delivery and treatment for some infectious diseases. Physicians and nurses staff the clinic 5 days a week. Short term goals include enhancing obstetrical services and making reliable water and electricity to the clinic a reality. Intermediate goals include development of  a basic laboratory offering blood and urine testing. Long term goals include expansion of the clinic to allow overnight stay and IV therapy/hydration, development of Pediatrics, Dental, Ophthalmologic and Orthopedic services as well as minor Surgery. In the distant future, it will be necessary to develop a new clinic on donated land in a modular plan that is being developed. This large project will require many partners and a carefully designed plan of expansion.

Members of the Committee are challenged to think outside the box in this low resource setting where traditional Western amenities are scarce. Rewards are the realization of significant improvement in health of our brothers and sister and their families in Baptiste.

At this time the biggest step in the improvement of health has been the successful completion of the Water Project allowing clean water for the entire Baptiste community.