Mission Statement: The healthcare programs of NPH Haiti are motivated by the gospel command to care for the sick and strive to offset the injustices of poverty and unemployment which make healthcare inaccessible for many poor people. Poverty imposes a tremendous burden of sickness and suffering on many children. In an effort to help precisely these children, St. Damien Pediatric Hospital offers both children of poverty, and children of any social level in emergent distress, quality and dignified healthcare. St. Damien always seeks to include the parent participation in this care through ongoing dialogue, on-site opportunities for education, and encouraging any level of material support they can offer for the care of their children.
Exterior of St. Damien Pediatric Hospital
Background: The island nation of Haiti is located in the Caribbean and is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Poor sanitation and widespread poverty have led to young children being 15 times as likely to die from diarrhea or pneumonia than HIV/AIDS. Nearly 10% of children die before their 5th birthday, largely of treatable illnesses. 1 out of 4 children are moderately to severely malnourished, and 138,000 children die of preventable diseases each year. In a population where 1/3 of the population is under 14 years old, improvements in pediatric health are a vital and necessary requirement towards Haiti’s economic, social, and political development.
Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos founded by American priest Father William Wasson in 1954, opened their Haiti program (as Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs (NPFS) or Our Little Brothers and Sisters) in 1988. While the initial goal of NPH/NPFS was to build a permanent home for orphaned and abandoned children, the large amount of children dying from treatable illnesses showed a desperate need for a hospital that could treat chronic and other debilitating pediatric illnesses.
Funded through private contributions to NPH worldwide, St. Damien provides high quality medical treatment for disadvantaged and sick children in Haiti. More than half of all patients are admitted for an infectious disease such as tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV while twenty-five percent are admitted for non-infectious diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and kidney infection. Most patients admitted are also malnourished. The outpatient clinic treats 100 children daily, for acute, parasitic, and bacterial infections. In specialized clinics, chronic conditions such as sickle cell anemia, congenital heart diseases (CHD), tuberculosis and cancer are treated for months or years if needed. St. Damien Pediatric Hospital and associated public health and community programs provide over 80,000 services to children and adults annually.
saintdamienhospital.nph.org 
It is so wonderful that people have so much love in their heart for different people.
We are praying constantly and gathering our forces and finances to assist the relief fund … our love and prayers go out to Fr Rick … our brothers and sisters in service to everyone and the hundreds of children who live each day in need and pain
I would like to know if I would be able to send some items to your hospital to help benefit the earthquake victims? I do not have tons of money but I have clothing items, toys etc that I could ship to you.
To: Fr. Rick and staff:
I was unaware of your remarkable work until seeing the horror of the earthquake devasation on ABC this morning. Between my husband and I we have four children and our hearts go out to those you take care of every single day of every single year.
Although we regularly support various organizations, including World Neighbors, I want to make a donation to your hospital directly and to continue doing so on a regular basis.
We are not wealthy people, but I hope that we can make some small difference in what you do, especially during these horrific times.
Please let me know how I may get a check directly to you, or a credit card donation. I understand you have a parent organization, but my intend is direct donations to your efforts.
God Bless,
Susan Gannon
North Andover, MA., U.S.A.
Fr. Rick,
You and all you care for are in our prayers. Although we have not spoke in many years, you are never far from our thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if there is anything I can do from Saratoga NY, I am the assistant medical director of the emergency department Saratoga Springs NY and would like to help in some way. I know communication is difficult for you now. Reminder, We attended NYCOM together.
Please let me know what I can do to help.
Peace, Love and Prayers in Christ,
Your friend
Chris Case D.O.
A group of us from a children’s hospital in the US want to explore partnering with you. I can be reached at Lrabbitt@CHOC.org. Blessings. Leslie Rabbitt MPH, CHOC Children’s Hospital, Orange, California
I can provide you with the shelters you need to expand your facility. Our Super Igloos will weather any tropical storm. These buildings are inexpensive and will last for decades. I can have them there in one week. Call Ken Laughren back at 250-215-0256 or investigate our system at http://www.csidomes.com I can solve your problem for shelter if you let me.