Chapter Profiles GlobeMed at Truman State University
Who We Are
GlobeMed at Truman State University is one of 46 GlobeMed chapters working to improve the health of people living in poverty around the world. We partner with Maison de Naissance in Lanarge, Haiti to ensure access to high-quality maternal and child health care in rural southwestern Haiti.
Our Partner - Maison de Naissance // Torbeck, Haiti
Key Fact: Haiti has the highest maternal mortality rates in the Western hemisphere, with a lifetime risk of one in every 93 women dying from childbirth. In addition, one in every 16 infants dies within the first year of life. (UNICEF country profile)
In an effort to curb these statistics and recognize the right of women to accessible and quality health care, our partner, Maison de Naissance provides healthcare free-of-charge to women in the region. Maison de Naissance is a birthing home based in Lanarge, Haiti. Translating directly into “house of birth” in Haitian Creole, the clinic serves as a source of maternal and infant health services to rural, southwestern Haiti. Maison de Naissance was founded in 2004 after recognition of large health care deficits in the region. Maison de Naissance is sponsored by the Maison de Naissance Foundation, a non-profit based out of Kansas City, Missouri.
The mission of Maison de Naissance is to serve a destitute group of women and children in Haiti with competent and compassionate health care. The services of a modern maternity center and community health program are offered from the hospitality of a safe, culturally appropriate, welcoming, and friendly home. They believe that the right to a safe, healthful, and compassionate birthing process is fundamental and universal.
Since the clinic opened in 2004, the percentage of women receiving prenatal care around Torbeck has increased from 51 to 99 and the percentage of births supervised by a skilled birth attendant has increased from 13 to 91. The clinic is open 24/7 to provide services to women of the community. In identifying the necessity of culturally competent methods and sustainable approaches, the clinic is maintained by Haitian midwives and focuses on training staff from within Haiti.
Our Project - $10,000 for sustainable energy and educational materials for Maison de Naissance
GlobeMed at Truman State University has been working with the clinic over the past four years to look for sustainable solutions for the clinic’s energy needs. This year, GlobeMed at Truman State University is fundraising for a $5,000 inverter system that allows the clinic to transform energy from sunlight on the clinic’s solar panels into electrical energy for use within the clinic. Previously, TSU raised funds for a $5,000 satellite dish, for use in transferring information and recording home visits, in 2008, and raised $5,000 in 2009 to support the installation of a new battery pack for the clinic’s solar panels. With reliable light, the clinic is capable of carrying out its lifesaving daily services night and day without impediment.
UPDATE: After fully funding our sustainable energy project in January, we took on a new project and fundraising goal, $5,000 to support the development and production of maternal health education materials (pamphlets and curriculae) for MN’s staff. These materials and modules will be used by the MN staff to educate mothers on safe birthing practices and pre- and post-natal care.
VIEW TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY’S 2010-2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Get Involved
If you want to learn more about GlobeMed at Truman State, email us at truman@globemed.org!
