Dear Hope for Haiti Family,
Join us in action this Saturday for World Diabetes Day, a global advocacy day dedicated to promoting diabetes prevention and treatment. This year’s theme, Nurses Make The Difference, honors the crucial role that nurses play in supporting people living with diabetes.
Over 463 million adults around the world live with diabetes, 75% of whom live in low and middle-income countries. Haiti reports some of the world’s worst health indicators, which continue to inhibit the country’s development. At our Infirmary St. Etienne, the Hope for Haiti medical team focuses on the prevention, treatment, and management of diabetes by providing access to direct care, educating people on diabetes prevention and management, and creating partnerships in southern Haiti to improve access and quality of diabetes care. This includes weekly Diabetes Club meetings where patients have the opportunity to learn tips and strategies for living a healthy life, ask questions, and connect with each other. This program was designed by our Clinic Director and is run by our doctors, nurses, and Community Health Workers who are all passionate about educating patients so they can lead healthy, productive lives.
Saturday morning, our team will be hosting a World Diabetes Day walk in Les Cayes, Haiti, followed by diabetes screenings at our Infirmary St. Etienne. YOU can join in on the action by wearing blue and going for your own walk in solidarity. Click here to RSVP on Facebook, and post photos of your walk on social media and tag us to be featured on our Facebook/Instagram stories!
How YOUR Support Changes Lives: Healthcare
Pictured above is a pre-COVID-19 Diabetes Club Meeting. Below: meet Paulinca, a diabetes patient at our Infirmary St. Etienne:
54-year-old Paulinca Paurice lives in Les Cayes with her three children. Paulinca spends her time taking care of her children and cooking, which is one of her passions. She has been a member of the Diabetes Club for two years after learning about it from her daughter’s friend, who is also a member. She also comes in to the Infirmary St. Etienne regularly for testing and to receive her medications. Paulinca shared, “Through the Diabetes Club, I’ve learned how to eat better and the right way to take my medicine. My [sugar] levels are now under control and I enjoy meeting with the other diabetes patients in my community so we can support each other. Thank you all for your support!”