When 19-month-old Leila was admitted to Hôpital Saint-Nicolas de Saint-Marc (HSN), she was barely able to feed herself. Her small body showed the obvious signs of severe malnutrition: visible weight loss, swollen legs and constant fatigue. She was also suffering from fever and a painful oral-pharyngeal infection, which made feeding almost impossible.
Her mother, Dina, had noticed the deterioration for several weeks: “She wasn’t gaining weight anymore,” she recalls. “Then the diarrhea started, and her legs began to swell.”
In a country where health centers are often remote and resources limited, many parents hope their child’s condition will improve on its own. But when Leila’s symptoms worsened, Dina decided to take her to St. Nicholas Hospital, a decision that saved her daughter’s life.
On arrival, the pediatric staff at Zanmi Lasante immediately took charge of Leila’s case. Her condition required urgent medical and nutritional care. The team administered Nourimanba, Zanmi Lasante’s locally-produced peanut-based therapeutic food, rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. It also treated her infection and provided constant monitoring day and night.
Nourimanba, l’aliment thérapeutique à base d’arachide produit localement par Zanmi Lasante, riche en protéines, vitamines et minéraux.
Distributed in ZL network health centers, Nourimanba is one of the most effective and accessible tools for treating childhood malnutrition. It enables young patients to quickly regain their strength, while supporting local agriculture through the use of ingredients produced in Haiti.
Among those who cared for Leila was nurse Miss Pierre, whose patience and care left a deep impression on the family. “She came to see her all the time,” says Dina. “She made sure she was eating, feeling well, not losing strength. Without her, I don’t think Leila would have survived.”
Malnutrition remains one of the most serious, yet misunderstood, health problems in Haiti. Many families still perceive it as a curse or fatality, rather than a treatable disease. For Miss Pierre, this is precisely why raising awareness is essential.
“In Haiti, many parents still don’t realize that malnutrition is a real illness and that it can be cured,” she explains. “There are still too many taboos and false beliefs. Leila’s story shows that with the right care, recovery is possible.”
After just a few days of treatment, Leila’s fever dropped. She started eating again and regained her strength. Her cheeks, once sunken, gradually filled out. When she left the hospital, she was smiling and playing, a stark contrast to the fragile little girl her mother had carried until then.
For Dina, it was like witnessing a miracle: “Now she’s laughing again. She eats, she plays.”
Leila’s recovery is just one of many victories that happen every day at St. Nicholas Hospital. Behind each one is a chain of efforts-doctors, nurses, community workers, logisticians and partners-united to ensure that care reaches those who need it most.
Every child suffering from malnutrition deserves a chance to heal. We continue to offer free nutritional care, Nourimanba, and accompaniment to the most vulnerable families. Your support saves lives and strengthens the Haitian healthcare system. Make a donation today.