On Thursday, October 10, 2024, Dr. Atul Gawande, Assistant Administrator for Health of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), leading a delegation including representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), visited the Minister of Health, Dr. Georges Fils Brignol.

The meeting aimed to confirm the United States' commitment to supporting the Ministry of Public Health and discuss the priorities for action of the two entities.

Dr. Gawande stressed the importance of maintaining services in the 170 health centers supported by USAID and raised concerns about the prevention of epidemic diseases, including cases of anthrax and the persistence of cholera.

Minister Brignol expressed concerns about the decline in epidemiological surveillance and the closure of some health institutions, which has led to a decrease in the supply of services in some regions. The importance of prevention, preparation and response to current or emerging epidemic diseases was discussed.

To address these concerns, some avenues have been identified, such as better coordination of health partners, appropriate funding that can help gradually reopen health facilities depending on the favorable evolution of the security situation and the continued strengthening of the Ministry's leadership.

IH/ iciHaiti