Recipient: Christian Aid Ministries
Shipment Number: 3596
Shipment Date: 9/25/2003
Value: $2,289,156
Haiti is the least developed country
in the Western Hemisphere with nearly 80% of the population of 8 million
living in abject poverty. Only 30% have access to essential medications
and public spending on health care reaches only 1.4% of the country's GDP.
Access to trained healthcare professionals is also limited, as there are
only eight physicians per 100,000 people.
Working in collaboration with Christian Aid Ministries, Direct Relief is supporting 19 rural health clinics located in northern Haiti. These facilities provide primary healthcare services, pediatrics, health education, immunizations, and emergency care to approximately 176,000 patients every year free of charge. Respiratory infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and skin structure infections are common in this region and medications such as anti-infective agents are always critically needed. This donation from Direct Relief consisted of a year's supply of a broad spectrum antibiotic for distribution to the entire network of clinics.