FONDATION HAITIENNE DE REHABILITATION = FONHARE

On Tuesday, Jan. 31 we made a visit to Ounaminthe to see the new Network organization called   FONDATION HAITIENNE DE REHABILITATION  otherwise known as FONHARE.  It was started a few months ago by Haitian physical therapist Ivens Louisis, who had worked for the prior 6 years in the Dominican Republic, after getting his trianing in physical therapy.  He knew there was great need for his services in Haiti and decided to come back to contribute to his country. 

 

The initial clinic is in a room at his brother's "Polyclinic" on Rue Liberte in Ounaminth. Dr. Fresnel Louisis is an obstetrician, and there is also an internal medicine physician there.

Ivens has 2 therapy tables, some electrical stim and other modalities.  We brought him some more crutches and walkers that we got from For Haiti With Love.  He sent a patient that was been seen then, with an above knee amputation and run down crutches, out on one of the crutches we provided.

 

We let him know that there was an orthopedic team in Ft. Liberte that day and the next day that could help the amputee's infected stump and another patient's ACL knee injury (we found out later that day that there was ANOTHER ortho team actually operating in Ounaminthe that week--we got both other their contacts and will try to help everyone be more coordinated with that information in the future!!).  We also informed the orthopedic teams that there was a PT available--Ivens-- who could help their patients with post operative rehabilitation, which they were worried about and thought would have to wait until their next trip!!

 

Ivens and Fresnel showed us the site of the new OB office and FONHARE therapy centers, that will be next to each other on the main road from Cap to the DR that goes through the center of Ounaminthe.  It is an impressive new building that will have all the modern amenities and be a good place to refer patients for PT or OB care.  Dr. Louisis does ultrasounds for 500 gourdes--which is a very reasonable way to get OB ultrasounds when needed.

 

We enjoyed learning about FONHARE and Ivens is very enthusiastic about networking with other rehab programs in our Network, with the goal of making services available and convenient all over the region and country.