The Different Facets of Healthcare Challenges in Haiti

Title: The Different Facets of Healthcare Challenges in Haiti

By: The Haitian American Nurses Association of Florida Inc (HANA)

Overview:

The purpose of this presentation is to address the various facets of healthcare challenges in Haiti that are negatively affecting its people, and develop a comprehensive plan for a sustainable healthcare system. After the devastating 2010 earthquake, Haiti continues to suffer a myriad of challenges which impact its health care system and resources. Haiti is one of the world’s poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere and is the least equipped to recover from natural disasters. Population disease-specific, public health concerns, health systems responses, challenges and constraints will be addressed. A call to health care reform will be addressed and proposed options or opportunities for improving or strengthening the health system.

We will also address the need for regulating nursing practice. Nursing is the largest group of health care professionals who needs to advocate for the public as well as ensure protection of the citizens of Haiti. We have a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate the great global impact that can be made by instituting strategies to promote safety through regulations of schools of nursing as well as ensure that unsafe practitioners are restricted from practicing. Professional nurses have an obligation safeguard the public’s health and promote quality health care.

Objectives:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Identify underlining major social determinants and healthcare issues affecting the people of Haiti.
  • Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the health care system.
  • Compare and contrast alternatives from other developing countries.
  • Explore and or develop a road map toward a comprehensive healthcare system in Haiti.
  • Relate the Economic Opportunities in Haiti’s Healthcare Industry.

Access to Healthcare in Haiti:

Emerging Strategies Focused on Developing a Comprehensive and Sustainable Healthcare System in Haiti

The right to health has been recognized as a fundamental human right in international and national constitutions since 1946, creating entitlements and obligations in relation to access to adequate health care and the underlying determinants of health. Hence, one might expect governments to strive at generating conditions in which a population can be as healthy as possible. These conditions range from ensuring the availability of health services, nutritious food, sanitation, safe and potable water, and essential drugs.

Haiti ranks last in the western hemisphere in health care. Economic instability has limited any growth in this area. According to World Health Organization, Haiti’s expenditure per capita on health care is the lowest in the region. Only one-fourth of births are attended by a skilled health professional. The distribution of population, health care personnel, and beds per 100,000 population by department, reveal the disparities in access to health care in Haiti. Most rural areas have no access to health care, making residents susceptible to otherwise treatable diseases. The majority of the population has no sanitation, no potable water, and is malnourished.

This presentation will give an overview of the state of the healthcare system in Haiti. It will map out the locations of existing healthcare facilities throughout the country. Analyze the system’s strength and weaknesses. Provide alternatives based on examples of proven success from other developing countries. Advance a road map with necessary policies toward a comprehensive and sustainable Healthcare System that include the core indispensable elements: water, sanitation, food and essential drugs. It would also highlight economic opportunities that exist despite the financial shortcomings of the country.

Our research is built on previous studies and statistics made available by the World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization, Haiti’s Department of Health, and other studies done on health conditions in the Caribbean and other developing countries.

Moderator: Nahomie Mirville, MSNEd, FNP, RN, Assist Professor, Chamberlain College of Nursing/HANA

Speakers / Guest Panelists:

  • Amina Dubuisson MSN, RN, MBA/HCM, LNHA, President, Haitian American Nurses Association of Florida, Inc. (HANA)
  • Marie O. Etienne, DNP, ARNP, PLNC, Professor, Miami Dade College, Benjamin Leon School of Nursing/HANA
  • Jessie M. Colin, PhD, RN, FRE, FAAN, Professor,Barry University/HANA
  • Aude M. L. Sicard, MBA, Jackson Health System, Haitian American Democratic Club