Haiti

I have been traveling to Haiti for the past 6-7 years as part of a medical team to provide care in several different rural areas. I have seen extreme poverty and it’s devastating results. I have seen children doomed to die from malnutrition and adults in their 40’s paralyzed by strokes that blood pressure medication costing $3.00 per month could have prevented. I have seen people blind with cataracts that a $20.00 operation could cure. I have learned to work with no electricity or water and a minimum of diagnostic equipment. My work in Haiti has been a challenge to my medical knowledge and a challenge to my faith.

It is tempting to see the hundreds of people waiting to see us at the beginning of every day, as well as the tremendous need around us as too overwhelming. However, Jesus taught us to see each individual and to care for each person as though he or she were the Christ. I have no hopes of making changes in Haiti- I just hope to provide good care and hopefully ease the suffering of the one person that I have before me.

Emilie Hitron, MD - Christ Church, Needham