The whole commune of Anse-Rouge has a population of about 40,000 inhabitants but they only have one hospital without an ambulance.

Many people (including women in labor) have lost their lives because they didn’t have a way to go to the hospital and the hospital couldn’t reach them either.

Ambulance service will save many lives responding to women in labor, stroke patients, road accidents, and transporting patients in need of surgery.

In 2012, LeSage Foundation launched the urgently needed emergency response service in the second section of the commune of Anse-Rouge, the first of its kind. The 24/7 service will provide life-saving support to a host of incidents every week, supporting local communities and medical facilities. It’s often almost impossible for people to access care late at night in the area. And without our service, many would reach hospitals the following morning too late.

Project Description

The LeSage Foundation’s rescue vehicle is not just about responding to a 900 call with an emergency ambulance personnel. A team of individuals with various functions will also provide indispensable support, as well as the non-emergency patient transport service that is so valued by the community.

Prior to the accident and emergency crews taking the road, other members of the trained team take the 900 call, decide quickly what action is required and then ensure that it happens. If the situation is critical, one of the control staff members might have to talk a distressed caller through a life-saving procedure or collect essential information as the ambulance travels to the scene.

Maternity Based Emergencies

• Haiti has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the Western Hemisphere.
• 75% of babies are delivered in Haiti outside of hospitals, with minimal or no medical support.
• In 2005, there were an estimated 530,000 maternal deaths worldwide, 99% of which took place in developing countries like Haiti. The majority of these deaths could have been avoided with appropriate care.

Road Traffic Accidents

• The first 60 minutes (The Golden Hour) after a traumatic injury are the most urgent in determining whether a patient will live or die.
• 90% of all causalities die within this ‘golden hour’ when they don’t receive medical support. The first 60 minutes are incredibly urgent.
• However, with few or no ambulances available across the second section of the commune of Anse-Rouge, patients often reach hospital too late. It’s not uncommon to see people taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries on the back of motorbikes, pick-up trucks, or public ‘Tap Taps.’