Above: former US President Bill Clinton on a recent trip to Haiti (Photo: Clinton Foundation)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Former United States President Bill Clinton has announced a new grant to support the Hospital Bernard Mevs in Haiti.

The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund grant, which totals $442,100, will help US-based non-profit Project Medishare and Bernard Mevis to implement a medical training and education programme for medical professionals in Haiti.

The 16-month initiative will train 47 radiologists, lab technicians and pathologists from Bernard Mevs and other hospitals in Haiti in the use of state-of-the-art medical equipment.

While the equipment was recently donated to the Bernard Mevs, few staff are trained to use it.

The announcement followed a visit by Clinton and former US Senator (and surgeon) Bill Frist to Bernard Mevs to evaluate the programme.

“The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund’s investment in Haiti’s healthcare workforce is an investment in the long-term vitality of the whole country,” Frist said in a statement.

Last year, Hospital Bernard Mevs treated over 60,000 patients and performed 150 surgeries per month. It is one of the only trauma, critical care and rehabilitation centres in Haiti.

More than 140 Haitian doctors, nurses and staff work at Bernard Mevs; they have all received training from Project Medishare.