Haiti Hospitals Are Calling on the Haitian Diaspora this World Health Day to Make Impact

In the heart of Port-au-Prince, where resilience meets unimaginable challenges, St. Damien Pediatric Hospital has long been a symbol of hope for Haiti’s most vulnerable children and mothers. But today, this lifeline is at risk. As Haiti faces an unprecedented healthcare crisis, the hospital is calling on the Haitian diaspora and global allies to rally behind its mission this World Health Day, April 7th.

For years, St. Damien has been more than just a hospital—it’s been a safe haven for families seeking care they cannot afford elsewhere. It is the only free-standing pediatric hospital in Haiti, wholly dedicated to serving children and high-risk maternity cases. From treating malnutrition and infectious diseases to pioneering pediatric oncology care, St. Damien has stood firm in its commitment to saving lives. But now, it faces challenges unlike any it has ever endured.

Why St. Damien Needs Us Now

Haiti’s healthcare system is collapsing under the weight of political instability, gang violence, and economic hardship. Only two out of five hospitals in the country remain operational, and all rely heavily on international aid to function. For St. Damien, this means navigating daily battles just to keep its doors open.

The hospital’s urgent needs are staggering:

• Medications and supplies: Many essential medicines are out of stock, and fuel for generators is critically low.
• Malnutrition treatment: With half of Haiti’s population at risk of starvation, the hospital needs funds to expand its malnutrition program—covering therapeutic food, medical expenses, and hospitalization for severely malnourished children.
• Staffing: Recruiting and training more nurses and doctors is vital as patient numbers continue to rise.
• Medical equipment: Without key lab tools and surgical equipment, delivering effective care becomes nearly impossible.
• Security: Amid escalating gang violence in Port-au-Prince, ensuring the safety of staff and patients requires ongoing financial support for transportation and protection measures.

Dr. Jeff Kempf, a longtime advocate for St. Damien’s work, captured the urgency in his recent letter: “Never before have we faced such challenges. If St. Damien shutters, children will die.”

The Haitian Diaspora: A Force for Change

This World Health Day offers a unique opportunity for the Haitian diaspora to step up as champions for their homeland’s future. Across the globe, Haitians have proven time and again their ability to mobilize resources and amplify stories that matter—and this is one of those moments where their voices can make all the difference.

Supporting St. Damien isn’t just about keeping a hospital afloat; it’s about preserving hope for thousands of families who rely on its services every day. It’s about ensuring that no child dies from preventable illnesses simply because there was nowhere else to turn.

How You Can Help

Here’s how you can join the movement to support St. Damien Pediatric Hospital this World Health Day:

1. Make a Donation: Visit NPHUSA.org/WHD25 to contribute directly to lifesaving programs at St. Damien. Every dollar counts toward keeping the hospital operational during this crisis.
2. Spread the Word: Use your social media platforms to share St. Damien’s story with your networks. NPH USA has created powerful visuals—including Instagram carousel slides—to help amplify this campaign.
3. Advocate for Awareness: Talk about Haiti’s healthcare crisis within your communities and encourage others to take action.

Why This Matters

St. Damien isn’t just any hospital—it’s a cornerstone of Haiti’s healthcare system that has weathered storms no institution should have to face alone. It represents resilience in its purest form, but even resilience needs support.

As Haitians at home and abroad celebrate World Health Day, let us remember that health is not just a privilege—it’s a right that every child deserves access to no matter where they’re born or what circumstances they face.

This World Health Day, let us unite as one community—bound by shared roots and shared dreams—to ensure that St. Damien Pediatric Hospital continues its mission of saving lives in Haiti.

Visit NPHUSA.org/WHD25 today to make your gift and be part of this lifesaving journey.

Together, we can keep hope alive for Haiti’s children—and show the world what it truly means to stand in solidarity with our people during their greatest time of need.

This article is part of our ongoing effort to amplify Haitian stories that matter