Sunday, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Rajiv Shah visited the Mirebalais Hospital and announced USAID is finalizing a $2 million partnership with the Partners in Health (PIH) local affiliate, Zanmi Lasante.

USAID and PIH will collaborate on a three-year program, to be implemented by Zanmi Lasante along the Cerca la Source/Savanette border, to provide and reinforce integrated services for the prevention of HIV/AIDS and reduce the incidence of HIV infections in populations along the Haiti and Dominican Republic border, while also integrating family planning, health systems strengthening, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) activities.

"With a results-oriented, evidence-based focus, this partnership advances our commitment to ensure every Haitian survives and thrives. From improving data collection to scaling up new tools and approaches, it demonstrates that we can expand access and improve the quality of care for even the most remote and vulnerable communities," declared Administrator Shah.

Recall that to date, , USAID has provided more than $3 million to PIH and Zanmi Lasante to improve health outcomes in Haiti. PIH received $1.5 million through the Agency's Services de Santé de Qualité pour Haïti health program to deliver short term technical assistance for HIV and Tuberculosis as well as patient critical care over three years. USAID also has a $1.6 million subcontract with Zanmi Lasante under the same health care program to provide services related to family planning, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and gender based violence.

Ensuring local communities have access to quality health services is a priority for USAID's work in Haiti. The U.S. Government, through USAID, provides access to basic health services for approximately 50 percent of Haitians. USAID is also building the capacity of the Government of Haiti with the objective of increasing Haiti's ownership and oversight of an adaptable public health system and reducing donor support over time. USAID is also emphasizing site-level governance and accountability through an independent verification unit designed to increase transparency and improve health outcomes.

HL/ HaitiLibre