Thursday opened in Brasilia, an international seminar on health in Haiti and the challenges of South-South cooperation, the Ambassador of Haiti in Brazil, Madsen Cherubin representing Florence Duperval Guillaume, the Minister of Health received at the event, the official documents of taking possession of the three reference community hospitals and of the National Rehabilitation Institute built as part of the Tripartite Cooperation (Haiti- Cuba-Brazil).

In his speech the Ambassador Cherubin declared "Today, as a beneficiary country, it is with great satisfaction that we share with you this innovative model for South-South cooperation, highlighting its key features and lessons learned. On behalf of the Government and all the people of Haiti, we welcome the opportunity to plan, with these two brotherly peoples what was possible to achieve with success during the four years of the implementation of the Tripartite Cooperation," adding ""The key to the success of this project lies in its design and the nature and quality of the partnership between the three countries. In this regard, it should be noted that :"

• The two countries suppliers of this cooperation, Brazil and Cuba, have been listening to Haiti's needs in the various areas targeted by the agreement and have shown great flexibility in the planning and the implementation of interventions ;

• The execution of the agreement does not stipulate a detailed document on the activities to be implemented. The Tripartite Management Committee evaluates

  at each of its meetings and activities, t each of its meetings and activities with, for compass, priority objectives and axes ;

• This cooperation is not comparable to a financial concession to the Haitian state. The funds are managed by the Brazilian part, who has signed agreements with various United Nations organizations, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), PAHO / WHO... ;

• The provision on a consistent basis of Human Resources by the Cuban side on the various axes of intervention was crucial.

Subsequently, the Ambassador said the agreement has allowed to make substantial advances and sustainable in the field of public health in Haiti quoting :

• In terms of infrastructure, three Community Reference Hospitals and Rehabilitation Center were built ;

• In terms of staff training, curricula have been developed for the training of community health workers polyvalent, primary care providers and health inspectors. Health workers have been trained. Haitian trainers missions were carried out in Brazil on various themes (epidemiological surveillance, management of medical and surgical emergencies, etc...) ;

• In the field of epidemiological surveillance and support to the National Laboratory, an epidemiological monitoring plan and a biotechnology technician training plan were developed. Two regional laboratories were rehabilitated and equipped ;

• In the area of emergencies, the establishment of a national ambulance system was initiated with our Cuban and Brazilian partners. The delivery and handing over the keys of 50 ambulances to the Haitian Ministry of Public Health has already be realized ;

• In the field of prevention and vaccination, Haiti could receive support consisting of vaccines donations, refrigerated trucks and solar refrigerators. A strengthening of the peripheral depots for storage and distribution of vaccines and inputs has been achieved. Haiti is now gaining the battle of immunization with vaccines donations received through this program.

  In his conclusion, the Ambassador of Haiti stressed "The Tripartite Cooperation Haiti / Brazil / Cuba, despite some difficulties, is about to reach its goals. The three community hospitals have already been inaugurated this year. It is now time to make them fully functional. Staff training, particularly in the areas of management and maintenance, should be continued in order to sustain this project, which will mark lasting the annals of South-South cooperation. It is now up to the Haitian part of appropriating and integrate all operations of this agreement at the Ministry of Health..."

  HL/ HaitiLibre