Giving children a fighting chance

The formative years of a child’s life are critical. Inadequate medical care and poor nutrition at an early age can have severe consequences on how children grow, learn, fight communicable diseases, and recover from illnesses. Therefore, making quality health care accessible and affordable for families with children is a cornerstone of Konbit Sante’s mission to strengthen capacity for a sustainable health system in Cap-Haitien.

Many challenges must be overcome to make this goal a reality.

Dr. Rony Saint Fleur, pediatric program manager for Konbit Sante and a pediatrician at our partner healthcare facility Justinien University Hospital, recently participated in a webinar, “Neonatology Services in Haiti,” hosted by the Haitian Health Network. Dr. Saint Fleur talked about neonatal services provided in the pediatrics services at JUH, and how training and supplies provided by Konbit Sante has contributed to reducing the rate of preventable deaths of premature infants by about 40 percent.

However, he added, frequent power outages, lack of access to emergency medicines and supplies, and challenges with staffing at JUH have impeded efforts to improve on that accomplishment. “We want it to be reduced even more, but we have many obstacles that are preventing us from reaching that goal,” Dr. Saint Fleur said. “One of the biggest problems is lack of reliable electricity in Cap-Haitien. Sometimes, we have to work with flashlights from cell phones or candles.”

Konbit Sante remains steadfast in its commitment to help JUH and our other partners to provide health care to its youngest patients. The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated that we temporarily halt volunteer trips to Haiti; however, we continue to provide support to our healthcare partners and other medical facilities on neonatal care.

We cannot do this without your help. Your support of Konbit Sante provides the funds that allow us to provide training and supplies to healthcare facilities in Haiti. That in turn, gives children the chance of living the healthy lives that they deserve. Please consider giving today by texting KONBITSANTE to 71777 or donating online at: www.konbitsante.org/donate