The very poor of Haiti cannot afford to visit a doctor or purchase medicines. Mothers and fathers suffer unbearable worry, anxiety and fear when their children become sick. Thousands of children die from health problems entirely preventable or treatable. Many elderly are alone, outliving or abandoned by their families, and in desperate need of basic health care and nutrition. Hands Together health projects target these marginal poor and seek to bring them immediate medical intervention and preventative health care programs. We accomplish this through a combination of locally-run free clinics and dispensaries, preventative health programs and classes at our schools, gifts of donated medicine to other health projects, U.S. volunteer medical teams, and nutritional programs.
The medical and health problems in rural and urban Haiti reflect the severe effects of devastating poverty, environmental deterioration and very poor government. Basic health care - i.e. doctor's visits, vaccinations, emergency care, and simple health education - is practically nonexistent. Life-threatening health problems threaten Haitians from infancy to old-age. The number one killer among infants is acute diarrheal disease. For schoolchildren, who are grossly undernourished, infections and parasites claim the most lives. And for adolescents, adults and elderly, you will find severe cases of HIV, hypertension, tuberculosis and countless other serious health problems.
Summary of Ongoing Health Efforts
| Project | Location | Description |
| Bongiovanni Health Center | Cite Soleil, Boston | Free medical care for 14,000 residents of Cite Soleil and elderly feeding. Staffed by team of 3 Haitian doctors. Provides basic clinic services. |
| HT Mobile Clinic | All locations | A 1980 paramedic vehicle outfitted for mobile clinic services. Used to conduct on-site health services at all HT schools and other poor sites. |
| HT Preventative Health Education | Cite Soleil | HT's medical director, Dr. Darlene Gousse, conducts ongoing preventative health classes for 4,000 students and parents at our Becky DeWine School campuses. |
| Lutz Medical Clinic | Trou Sable, Gonaives | Staffed by 2 Daughters of Mercy Nuns/nurses - provides free health care to slum residents in Gonaives. Contains 3 examining rooms, 1 OBGYN delivery room and basic laboratory. |
| Caritas-Gonaives Dispensaries | Mapou Lagon, Gervais, Brunette, Labrande, Poteneau, Savane a Roches, Tarasse | Nine rural medical dispensaries staffed by Haitian nurses. Mainly used for free medical distribution. Treat the following pathologies: malaria, parasites, flu, anemia, diarrhea, and vitamin deficiency. |
| Ti Riviere Clinic | Petite Riviere | Part of an orphanage, elderly hospice and school that helps the poorest people of Ti Riviere. In tandem with a nutrition program the clinic provides free medicines. |
In addition to these ongoing programs Hand Together continually looks for other ways to address immediate, emergency health needs and expand preventative health care. Donated medical supplies are channeled to our clinics and "partner facilities" such as the Missionary Brothers and Sisters of Charity, existing diocesan Caritas clinics and other "trustworthy sites". Volunteer teams for doctors and health care professionals from the United States and Europe help improve our facilities and train our Haitian staff.
For more specific information on our health projects visit the "Projects List" page. To donate medicines and health products please contact our office.