A new Bethesda
An important update
Our plan to build a new and improved Bethesda continues as part of our vision to provide high-quality healthcare. We are currently exploring possibilities for property where we can build a new Bethesda. Much work has gone into the design process and we still wish to move forward with this award-winning design once we have purchased a suitable and secure piece of property. Please continue to keep this in your prayers.
In the meantime we are continuing to provide updated equipment, technology and reasonable renovations to our existing clinic to better meet the needs of our patients and staff
Why a new Bethesda?
Our buildings are old and the hot, humid climate has taken its toll on our current facilities. They are in very poor condition, making it difficult for us to provide the high quality care we would like to. In addition, we are leasing the property where the clinic is located, and the cost of the lease continually increases. Beginning in 2018, we have been developing plans to build an entirely new clinic facility on property to be owned by Bethesda.
Building a new medical center will give us the opportunity to bring our facilities up-to-date and make sure each room is fit for purpose. We will also be adding a women’s center and a minor surgery unit.
The new layout will allow for better patient flow and improved infection control. We can also ensure we have a proper waste disposal system allowing for correct disposal of waste water, medical waste and general waste.
A solar powered system will be installed saving thousands of dollars on diesel every year.
The impact on the local community
Dr. Rodney shares what we do here at Bethesda and why building a new Bethesda is important.
The new design
We have an excellent team who have been working on the design since a field visit in February 2020. We have partnered with Engineering Ministries International who have now completed the civil, structural and electrical engineering plans. This includes plans for a water system, which begins with drilling a well, creating a clean water system with water towers and wastewater management.
The civil engineer also put plans in place to have a proper waste disposal system. As mentioned, we will be moving to solar powered electricity and the electrical engineer has finished the plans for a solar system which will be able to meet all our of electrical needs. Because we have a 24/7 emergency department, maternity department, digital X ray and vaccinations which have to be refrigerated, it is essential for us to have electricity 24 hours a day. This is not normal in Haiti.
We are so privileged to be working with award winning, world class architect, Kyle, from August Green design. Kyle has done extensive studies on the climate and wind direction & speed and has created a design which will have the maximum cooling effect inside the buildings reducing the need for us to install air conditioning (which is very expensive). The design will be using earth block which has natural insulating properties and is both earthquake proof and hurricane proof. The buildings are designed to maximise the use of natural sunlight therefore decreasing electrical costs.
In January 2022 August Green Design won an award for the design of a new Bethesda at the Boston Society of Architects. What an honor!
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How the new Bethesda Medical Center will look
Here's a glimpse of how the new Bethesda Medical Center might look compared to our facilities today.
Giving people the care they deserve
ALL of this work, time and money is because we believe each person in Haiti is made in the image of God, and because of that we need to treat them with love, dignity and respect and acknowledging that they deserve better.
So we are taking a huge leap of faith in building this new building so we can provide high quality of medical care which is extremely difficult to find in the north of Haiti and reach more people with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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