Shriners Hospitals for Children Conducts Historic Screening Clinic to Help Children of Haiti

The Carter Center helped organize this medical mission, working directly with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Disabilities of the Government of Haiti for approval. Additionally, they introduced Shriners Hospitals to leadership at St. Boniface Hospital who hosted the screening and promoted its availability to Haitian families who otherwise would not have access to this type of expert pediatric specialty care.

During the two-day event, led by Shriners Hospitals for Children's Chief Medical Officer Kenneth Guidera, M.D., medical staff met with children and their parents at St. Boniface Hospital. Many families traveled hours to meet with the Shriners Hospitals doctors and were waiting in line when the clinic opened. Children were screened and if necessary, provided treatment plans that included follow-up by doctors at St. Boniface Hospital, in-country physical therapy or surgery by Shriners Hospitals doctors during a planned return trip. Several children with more complex conditions were recommended for treatment at one of the 20 Shriners Hospitals for Children locations in the United States.

"We want to thank the government of Haiti, The Carter Center and our wonderful hosts St. Boniface Hospital for allowing Shriners Hospitals for Children to extend our medical knowledge to the children of Haiti," said Jerry Gantt, chairman of the Board of Directors for Shriners Hospitals for Children. Mr. Gantt added, "Limited prenatal care and resources for treatment of birth defects in Haiti has complicated many of these cases."

"This was an excellent first step for Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Carter Center to bring help to the children in Haiti," said Dr. Guidera. "It was a great honor to reach into the poorest of countries to treat the neediest of children."

The organizations are planning a return trip to Haiti where they will conduct surgeries and other follow-up care for children screened during the initial event. Shriners Hospitals will also provide additional training to doctors and nurses of St. Boniface Hospital so more treatments and follow-up care can be done in-country by their staff.

"The Carter Center is very pleased to be helping Shriners Hospitals for Children provide life-changing care for children throughout the world," said former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. "We look forward to the progress of these Haitian children and how their lives will forever be changed."

About Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. Our 22 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, provide advanced care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. Learn more at shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Contact: Laura Hunt
Email: [email protected]  
Phone: 571-215-3271

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SOURCE Shriners Hospitals for Children

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