AIDS Program to be Integrated Into Community Health Activities at Holy Cross Hospital, Leogane

It became clear during Dr. David McNeeley’s presentation to the Children's Medical Mission of Haiti Board in May 2001 that the AIDS program activities must be coordinated with the Nutrition Program.

The AIDS program will begin training of community health workers later this year. The purpose of the program is to integrate HIV education and services into the already-existing community health program activities of the hospital at Leogane. Since malnutrition and wasting are frequently the presenting symptoms of HIV infection, interventions to identify the causes of malnutrition in young children and to identify possible solutions must take into consideration the possibility of HIV infection in the young child (and his mother).

Additionally, a need has been identified in the pediatric department of the hospital for development and implementation of protocols for the nutritional rehabilitation of malnourished children. Dr. Jack Lafontant, Executive Director of Holy Cross Hospital, expressed enthusiasm at the possibility of Dr. McNeeley working with the Hospital’s pediatrician in nutrition rehabilitation.

The expertise of Dr. Gretchen Berggren, CMMH board member and world-renowned child nutrition expert, will contribute to assure that Holy Cross Hospital is a leader in child nutrition in Haiti.