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ABOUT FORWARD IN HEALTH – RESTORING HEALTH AND DIGNITY IN HAITI
“The poverty and need in Haiti is astounding. While Forward in Health has led medical missions to Les Cayes, Haiti for seven years; and while we bring medicines and medical supplies for pediatric clinics and for a home for the elderly; and while we provide treatment to the poor, our few weeks each year don’t even begin to impact the profound need there. What’s needed is a permanent solution and our answer is to build a medical clinic - one that will provide ongoing services to 15,000 of Haiti’s poorest. That’s Forward in Health’s new goal.” Dr. John Mulqueen |
I. THE CLINIC – FORWARD IN HEALTH’S REASONING
For seven years, Dr. John Mulqueen and Forward in Health have been hosting annual missions to Haiti. They’ve provided health care to the poor in a community that has limited to no local access to medical care. They’ve brought medicine, basic medical supplies and for a nursing home. Volunteers have held and comforted orphans that might not be held otherwise, they’ve sanded and refinished beds for nursing homes and they’ve made lasting relationships with residents. However, those visits, which provide some relief for a short period of time, are makeshift at best. The decision to build a clinic is to provide a permanent medical presence to a community that does not have any medical care, clean drinking water or preventive health education.
- The clinic will be situated on four acres of land and will have a total of 20 rooms in close to 10,000 square feet of space. It will house pediatric and prenatal clinics and a general adult screening facility. Construction began in November 2007.
- The first floor, 5,460 square feet, will have three exam rooms for doctors; a nurses’ station, lab, radiology, pharmacy and conference/education rooms
- The second floor, with 4,260 square feet, will include a kitchen, director’s suite and 7 rooms which will accommodate sleeping for 16 guests
- It will have a well to provide clean drinking water to residents
- Building costs-$350,000
- Will provide services for 15,000 Haitians
The benefits, Dr. Mulqueen believes, will be dramatic. The clinic will provide much needed education on food preparation to prevent food-borne illnesses, it will provide clean water for residents; it will provide day-to-day medical services and improve the poverty level of residents. The clinic will eventually be staffed entirely by Haitians and is expected to bring commerce to the area thus improving economic conditions. One important medical service is to interrupt the transmission of the HIV virus to newborns by providing prenatal care to expectant mothers that includes screening for the virus. This one program alone protects a new generation from HIV and AIDS which is so prevalent in Haiti today.
II. BUILDING THE DREAM
Building costs are projected at $350,000 and the fundraising effort is managed totally by volunteers. They are making slow but steady progress toward their goal. Naming rights are being offered to businesses and individuals that donate $5,000 and more. To-date Fusaro, Altomare & Ermilio, a Worcester law firm has donated $9,000 to purchase the land; Family Pharmacies-with businesses in five local communities, the McCaie family, owners of Superior Kitchen Design in Gardner and Dr. & Mrs. Skrzypczak have donated $5,000 each. Gerry McGuire, a software engineer and board member, created the initial design and TRO Jung Brannen, a prominent Boston designer of hospitals, has donated the final design.
It’s hard not to get caught up with Dr. Mulqueen and the board of director’s excitement and determination to build the clinic; fundraising activities have accelerated in the hopes that they can break ground before year’s end.
III. FORWARD IN HEALTH - A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Forward in Health is a nonprofit volunteer organization. Headed by Dr. John Mulqueen its mission is to “improve the health conditions and dignity of the people around Les Cayes, Haiti.”
The origins of the organization go back seven years as a result of a visit to Haiti by Sister Theresita from the Diocese of Worcester’s Haitian Apostolate. Dr. Mulqueen and volunteers first visited Les Cayes to provide medical care that year. When the Haitian Apostolate subsequently changed its mission several years ago, Dr. Mulqueen and Paula Mulqueen, his wife, took up the cause and changed its name to Forward in Health. The organization’s Board of Directors includes:
- John Mulqueen, MD - President
- John Altomare, Esquire - Treasurer
- Edward Blanchard
- Lori Butler, RN
- Wes Daniels, Esquire
- John Gardella
- Michael Gaudet, MD
- John Harrington, MD – Chairman of the Medical Committee
- Lois Kolofsky
- Gerry McGuire – Director of Information
- Paula Mulqueen – Travel Coordinator, Liaison with Haiti, Outreach Director
- Aubrey Hunter, RN
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