Thank
you to all those who participated in NHAHA’s 9th Annual
conference in Washington
DC. The conference was
rich in content and great discussion. We were honored with the presence
of Dr. Guirlene Raymond , Director General from the Ministry of Health
(MSPP). The challenges are enormous but there has been a lot of effort
towards the rebuilding of the Haiti health system’s
infrastructure. The country is currently finalizing their 10-year plan
and entering the Action plan phase. Notable strategies include the
alignment of NGO’s into the plan, the restructuration and
building of medical facilities throughout the country. Human resources
and system strengthening will continue to be areas for continued need.
The
conference facilitated cross fertilization of ideas from major
stakeholders in Haitian Health. Dr. Eddis Charlotte, Coordinator of the Haiti
Health Reconstruction for
U.S. Government
provided the update and progress for the US government. She
emphasized the commitment of the US government to accompany
the Ministry of Health in its efforts as the leader of the system. The
conference allowed different point of views. Dr. Marc Weisbrot leveled
some criticism of the US
government for their handling of the reconstruction and the cholera
outbreak. He advocated for the US
reparation to cholera victims and the rebuilding of the water,
sanitation infrastructure in Haiti.
The
case for water of sanitation as the first public health necessity for Haiti
permeated throughout the conference. The role of food and nutrition was
also emphasized, by Dr. June Pierre-Louis. Solving these basic needs
will go far in preventing many health problems we see today and put Haiti
on the road for the 21st century.
The
need for research in Haitian health was well demonstrated by Dr. Linda
Marc. There is a burgeoning development for great collaborative
research work in Haitian health. She gave an overview NHAHA’s
work and past and current work in HIV/AIDS and Mental Health that have
been undertaken by Haitian researchers such as herself and provided a
vision for new efforts in that area.
One
of the most critical policy issues for Haiti health care was
brought forth by Dr. Jesse Bump who presented us with the options for
Universal health coverage. He provided an analysis of other countries
and urges us to look into the Rwanda
system as an example for Haiti. The message is that
for Haiti,
it will cost billions of dollars and requires the commitment of the
leaders and contribution from the government and citizens to make it
work. It can happen if as a whole the citizenry demands it.
The
disparity in Haitian Health in the US was introduced by Dr.
Paul Cadet, president of the Haitian Physicians Abroad. The root causes
for health disparities in the US was analyzed by Dr.
Vigilance. It showed the connection between social determinants and
health of minorities. Dr. Fabienne Santel underscored the need to have
minority groups represented in clinical trials. Dr. Patrick Richard,
Health Economist made the case for health equity by showing the high
cost of health disparities in the US. Mental Health emerged
as an area of important need. Dr. Nicky Bellamy spoke on SAMHSA’s
response after the earthquake which funded three programs in New York, Boston
and Florida.
Dr. Naturale specifically spoke on importance of a system in place for
meeting the mental health need of children and women.
HIV/AIDS
was held as a success story in Haiti. It was announced
that the rate in Haiti
has been reduced to 1.9%. It was said that the infrastructure in HIV
was instrumental in managing the cholera outbreak. There is a lot of progress
reported in preventing and treating Cholera. The good news is that
there is a timeline with important milestones for the eventual
elimination of cholera in Haiti.
Dr.
Patrick Von Fricken talked about the work being done in Malaria control
in Gressier and showed the picture of a testing lab that improves the
identification and treatment of the disease.
The
conference highlighted a great deal of NGO’s such as I-TECH in
capacity building in support of MSPP. Dr. Rachel Labbe-Coq presented on
an initiative for strengthening two of the hospitals in the country.
Dr. Judy Art was applauded for his implementation of and inexpensive,
easy Electronic Medical Records system at his clinic in Petite Riviere.
He is able to remotely follow the clinic operation in real time while
at the conference. Dr. Chierci shared an innovative approach of
community health approach in “Au Borgne” in the
mountainside in the North of Haiti. The program called: “Sante
Nan Lakou” use the method of providing services to clusters of
families living in their homes connected around a yard. It gave all of
us a pause when the picture of the mobile clinic came up on the screen.
It was a donkey climbing the mountain carrying medical supply.
The
conference ended with Dr. Carmelle Belle-Fleur with the role of Nurses
and an overview with a project with Hunter
College for training Haitian
Nurses in partnership with the school
of Nursing in Haiti.
Dr. Flore Lindor-Latortue from Florida,
gave a motivating and captivating talk on the rights of Haitians for
health equality. The last presentation by Dr. Marjorie Brennan brought
all of us back to the Humanitarian reason for medical missions in Haiti
but reminded us on how to do it effectively and respectfully.
Some
major concerns on Housing, economic development, education as related
to health were also raised.
We
were hosted by Mr. Paul Altidor at the Haitian embassy at a closing
reception. His address accentuated the recurring themes of the
conference and the principles enunciated by MSPP that included sustainability,
accountability, transparency, coordination and collaboration.
The
year 2013 will be NHAHA’s 10th year anniversary.
NHAHA’s goal continues to be a locus of information, a platform
for exchanges, a voice for health equity policies and a bridge for the
Haitian diaspora to contribute to the efforts in Haiti.
A
full report and the presentations will soon be available on the
website. Click here
to see some of the conference pictures on our facebook page.
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