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of children die before their 5th birthday, largely of treatable illnesses.
children are
moderately to severely malnourished
children die of
preventable diseases
each year.
In a population where 1/3 of the population is under 14 years old, improvements in pediatric health are a vital and necessary requirement towards Haiti’s economic, social, and political development.
Funded through private contributions to NPH worldwide, St. Damien pediatric hospital provides high quality medical treatment for disadvantaged and sick children and mothers in Haiti.
More than half of all patients are admitted for an infectious disease such as tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV while 25% are admitted for non-infectious diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and kidney infection. Most patients admitted are also malnourished. The outpatient clinic treats 100 children daily, for acute, parasitic, and bacterial infections. In specialized clinics, chronic conditions such as sickle cell anemia, congenital heart diseases (CHD), tuberculosis and cancer are treated for months or years if needed.
• 53 doctors
• 136 nurses
• 84 health auxiliaries
• 265 support staf
* 22,000 patients in ambulatory care
* 3,000 people hospitalized,
mostly children
* 3,000 babies delivered
These professionals work with the added stress of gunfire, kidnappings and failed government and infrastructure. The wild valuation of the local currency means they cannot rely on the purchasing power of their wages. Diesel fuel is required to be trucked through gang-controlled road checks to feed the electrical generators of the hospital. Water purification is required to avoid the spread of diseases. Some nights the staff will choose to sleep in the hospital rather than risk being kidnapped on the way home or on their return to work.
Click here to adopt a nurse today
FOTOCAN is creating a project where your individual monthly donations will be pooled as a “sponsorship”. Individual donors will receive an annual charity receipt that can be applied for an income tax deduction. As a sponsorship program, FOTOCAN will guarantee that 100% of the funds will be forwarded to the St. Damien hospital. There would be no administration fees. Administration is covered by other donations and projects and we would appreciate some help in that area as well. You would receive an annual update about the sponsored health professional and be told the amount of the pooled sponsorship. Your individual contribution would remain confidential.
“When I was little, I quite often went to pick leaves, flowers and even the roots of certain trees to make tea and sometimes even to prepare baths for sick children. Reflecting back I see my work as a continuation of this habit from my past. And now, I confirm that I had chosen the profession well. So, for me the nursing profession is really a vocation.”
Adele was born and raised in southern Haiti. Since childhood, Adele has wanted to be a nurse. Adele studied nursing in Haiti and worked in social services for 2 years after graduation. In 2003 she joined St. Damien. She has stayed with St. Damien because of the family environment. She keeps going despite the hardships and violence. The hospital remains a beacon of hope for vulnerable families. Each family believes that their child’s health is worth the risk of running roadblocks and street violence. This gives Adele motivation to keep coming to work.
A nurse at St. Damien, with about 20 years of experience can expect a salary of about $8,000 CDN per year. Your donation would help support Adele, other staff and give them the resources that they need to continue their work.
