Empowering Maternal Health in the Heart of Haiti: The UNFPA and PAHO/WHO’s Partnership to Improve Access to Healthcare

The emergency situation faced by the Ministry of Health and Population (MSPP) has led to a difficult access to healthcare in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area (ZMPAP), Haiti. In response, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) have joined forces to support three hospitals in the area that provide maternal health services.

The partnership aims to improve access to healthcare, which has become increasingly difficult due to the current security situation. One of the hospitals benefiting from this partnership is the Eliazar Germain Hospital. The support includes the provision of essential medical equipment and supplies, as well as the installation of a reliable power supply system to ensure continuous availability of electricity. Dr. Francito Datus, the medical director of the hospital, states that this support enables them to provide essential obstetric and neonatal care and respond to emergencies at any time.

A direct beneficiary of this partnership is Josépha, a young mother of twins who recently underwent a successful Caesarean section. She expresses her gratitude for the excellent care she received. The goal of the partnership is to reduce the cost of childbirth, allowing pregnant women to give birth in a safe environment with qualified personnel present. Since the collaboration began, the three hospitals have recorded 62 physiological deliveries and 45 Caesarean sections. This assistance is crucial in improving access to maternal health services and reducing the risk of maternal and newborn mortality.

In addition to maternity services, the UNFPA and PAHO/WHO are addressing urgent needs in sexual and reproductive health. They have distributed kits for managing abortion complications and sexual violence, extending their support beyond just maternal health services.

The UNFPA Representative in Haiti, Philippe Degernier emphasizes that providing quality care for pregnant women is essential for improving maternal health outcomes in Haiti.

Overall, this partnership between UNFPA, PAHO/WHO and MSPP is crucial in providing necessary healthcare services during an emergency situation that could potentially affect many lives