Many rural Haitians live far from clinics and hospitals, and most are too poor to afford care even if facilities were nearby. In cities, most facilities are woefully inadequate; in fact, Haiti lacks a formal healthcare system altogether, and of the few facilities that existed before the 2010 earthquake many were never rebuilt. As a result, thousands of Haitians die each year of preventable causes.
Because children are especially at risk, South Florida Haiti Project and its partners launched a school nurse program at Bon Samaritan Episcopal School. This trained nurse provides essential care for the 325 students, many of whom would not otherwise have access to healthcare. With a committed, skilled nurse on the campus the community benefits with community health education programs as well as treatment of community members for emergency health needs and chronic illness. Over the years we have developed well-established relationships with Haitian medical professionals. Our School Nurse nurse is able to treat non-critical needs through telemedicine with our Haitian Medical Director.