Friday, March 8, Florence D. Guillaume the Minister of Public Health and Population in the presence, among others, of the U.S. Ambassador Pamela White, and French Chargé d’Affaires Ad Interim Dominique Delpuech cut the inaugural ribbon at the Maternity Ward of the State University of Haiti (HUEH).

The maternity ward is one of the rare buildings of the hospital that survived the January 12, 2010 earthquake. Despite its ruined condition, 6,000 deliveries were performed each year; along with 15,000 gynecological and 12,000 pre-natal consultations. The renovations cost a total of USD $150,000. The renovations included rebuilding the roof, the installation of a new water distribution network, the rehabilitation of a new electrical power system as well as the installation of fans. Exterior and interior painting was also completed.

The U.S and French governments, Haiti’s international partners, contributed equipment to complete the renovation work. In addition to such efforts, USAID provided a generator, a battery-operated inverter that provides electricity in three operating rooms, including the labor room, as well as computers to computerize patients’ records.

Some of the equipment at the maternity ward was donated by the Association Martiniquaise Urgence Caraibes. The French Government will finance a professional training program from 2013 to 2015 for maternity ward personnel, including obstetrical doctors, nursing staff, and support staff.

The renovations and new equipment at the maternity ward provides the staff with better working conditions, and reduces maternal and newborn mortality rates.

Moreover, on the occasion of the International Women's Day, 200 hygiene kits were distributed, and HUEH provided information addressing women’s health issues, such as family planning, sexually transmitted diseases, prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV and free urogenital lesion screenings.

HL/ HaitiLibre