| In the rugged, deforested mountains 35 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince sits the region of Grande Colline. There, families grieve for dying children lost due to nearly non-existent health care. Many rural Haitians have never seen a doctor.
To provide the missing link for the region, HAITI HEALTHCARE PARTNERS (HHP) opened a clinic in Cherident in 2006. HHP provides medical care for anyone in need. The pharmacy dispenses antibiotics, pain relievers and medication for common ailments such as high blood pressure, anemia and hookworm. In addition, the staff vaccinates hundreds of children each month, preventing childhood diseases and their after-effects. Among the main concerns are mothers who lack nutritional education. Teaching nursing mothers common remedies such as adding sugar and salt to water helps to prevent diarrhea and saves lives. Medika mamba, a peanutbased supplement, which was developed to treat malnourished children, has reduced child deaths and helps students learn better in school. With better transportation, communication and longer doctor hours, the HHP clinic can increase its outreach to those in great need, doubling its 4,000 current annual patient visits.
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Medika mamba, a peanut-based nutritional
supplement, reduces child deaths. |