Haiti: What happens after an OR install

When we installed two new Operating Rooms at the St Damien Hospital, in Haiti, just over two years ago (August, 2019) it proved transformational for paediatric care in the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince. 

Hundreds of children with little or no previous access to surgery were now able to have lifesaving and life-changing operations. 

However, we believe that our work doesn’t end after the installation of our Operating Rooms. At KidsOR, we continue to work with the hospitals after the installation to deliver equipment training to medical and technical staff, answer any questions they may have as well as provide equipment replacements.

For Saint-Damien Hospital, the success of the Operating Room meant that they needed some equipment replaced a little sooner than anticipated. Some of the replacement items we have provided the Haitian hospital include a Recovery Monitor (November 2020); a Heating Pad Mattress and Suction Unit, (July 2021); and the servicing of Mindray (patient) monitors and an anaesthetic machine.  

With the intervention of KidsOR, the Operating Room better meets our needs. It is well decorated, and we now have more equipment, such as suction devices, a transport cart and surgical instruments. We are grateful for the help that KidsOR has given to our hospital

Dr Nora Dely, Director of Medical Operations at Saint-Damien Hospital

The impact the Operating Rooms for the country of Haiti 

The installation of the Operating Rooms has allowed the medical team to clear a long waiting list, who have been able to performs more surgeries than previously anticipated.  This boost in procedures has led to an estimated 25,770 years of disability averted which, in turn, has led to an economic benefit figure for Haiti that has exceeded $75 million (£55 million).  

Since 2018, we have worked closely with Ministries of Health, hospitals and doctors across low- and middle-income countries to deliver more than 200,000 individual items of equipment to install paediatric Operating Rooms. More than 45,000 children have accessed life-changing or life-saving care through our work, but we won’t stop until every child has access to safe surgery. 

With your help, we can ensure no more children die or live a life of disability because of where they are born. Join our journey. 

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