Are the children in Ethiopia healthy?
Generally the children adopted from Ethiopia are healthy. Developmental delays in certain areas are fairly common depending on how long the child has been in an orphanage and the age at time of placement. Special needs children’s medical needs can range from minor, correctible needs, such as cleft lip and palate, a congenital heart defect, and other needs such as, albinism. Some children have more challenging needs such as being HIV positive or Hepatitis B positive. Many children are coming from very poor environments as 1/3 of Ethiopias population is below the poverty line. As a result, pre-natal and medical care received before a child is relinquished is likely to have been very limited. Children in orphanages are routinely tested for HIV and other basic tests. The results will always be forwarded to the prospective adopting family. There is always the possibility of unforeseen or undetected medical or developmental issues and families should be prepared for such.
