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2840 Liberty Avenue
Suite 201
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
www.hashaiti.org
I
have been working as an HAS pediatrician for more than 6 years. This is
a special place, where I feel I can really serve my country by providing
healthcare to children in a medically underserved area. This is important because
children represent the future of Haiti, and ensuring that children remain healthy is
key to Haiti’s development.
One of the biggest threats to a child’s development,
aside from poverty, is illness. In the past few years, HAS
has seen a dramatic rise in pediatric patient volumes
in most of our five pediatrics wards, particularly in
the surgery and neonatal units, as well as in general
pediatrics. We are seeing many cases of pneumonia
and diarrheal disease, which are concerning. A case of untreated gastroenteritis
or diarrheal disease, for example, leads to malnutrition; in turn, this can lead to
cognitive disabilities that may impact a child for the rest of his or her life.
“Children
represent
the future of
Haiti.”
Dr. Maurice Toussaint
HAS Chief of Pediatrics
A seriously ill child can’t go to school; one parent must stay with the child in the hospital, while the other
balances work and care of other children – a significant burden for families. By treating children early and
effectively, we promote better outcomes for the child, the family, and the entire community; in treating illness
and preventing serious complications, we are working toward the goal of a healthier Haiti.
In addition to treating children for illnesses that they already have, we take every opportunity to teach children
and families about taking care of their health to prevent future illness. In the community, we screen more than
10,000 children a month for malnutrition,
“By treating children early and effectively,
provide immunizations, and teach families
about food hygiene and how to combine
we promote better outcomes for the child,
foods to get the nutrients they need to prevent
the family, and the entire community; in
malnutrition. Empowered with knowledge,
treating illness and preventing serious
children themselves become educators among
complications, we are working toward the
their families and communities, for siblings,
goal of a healthier Haiti.”
parents, and neighbors.
•
$9,900 covers transportation and other costs
•
$6,700 covers the annual cost to provide nutrition
•
$2,300 covers the cost of providing 100 children
•
$1,000 covers the cost of prenatal consultations in
associated with providing vitamin A to 9,500
children annually.
education to families with children served by some
280 HAS health posts every month.
with vaccines and other preventative community
healthcare for one year.
an HAS community health center for 100 women.
What Haiti needs is more people whose healthy childhoods
allow them to go to school, as education is the key to
community development. We must empower today’s
children to become leaders and educators so that they can
forge a path to a better Haiti. This is our work here at HAS,
and I am proud to be part of it.
You can help HAS meet the growing need for pediatric
care in Haiti. Please consider making a contribution
“We must empower today’s
children to become leaders and
educators so that they can forge a
path to a better Haiti.”
Haiti’s most vulnerable communities. Our aim: Healthy children and ultimately a healthy Haiti.
Your contribution will go a long way in supporting this important effort.
On behalf of the children we serve, thank you,
CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW
Dr. Maurice Toussaint
HAS Chief of Pediatrics