Port-au-Prince, November 4, 2024 (PAHO) – The Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP), in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Office in Haiti, launched an online training program for future health professionals. The event, held at the Kinam Hotel with the attendance of the Chief of Staff of the Haitian Minister of Health and the PAHO/WHO Representative ad interim, brought together numerous collaborators from the Virtual Campus of Public Health (VCPH) and key sector stakeholders.
This course, developed by the Haiti Node of the VCPH, aims to prepare graduates in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, and other fields for their mandatory social service period, a requirement for obtaining their professional licenses. The training addresses urgent skill needs in complex practice environments marked by challenges in human resources and security.
"The Social Service is one of the pillars of the MSPP's strategy to guarantee access to healthcare throughout the country. Thanks to this preparatory program, our social service residents will be better equipped to meet the challenges they face in remote areas", said Dr Yves Gaston Deslouches, Chief of Staff to the Minister of Public Health and Population.
With over 1,600 new graduates annually, the program provides standardized training and real-world awareness. The online format is particularly suited to current security constraints that limit in-person training options.
Towards Sustainable Health Sector Improvement
This program strengthens the technical skills of young graduates and promotes their integration into local communities, thereby improving access to health services in resource-limited areas. The training prepares them to address administrative, logistical, and structural challenges in the field and helps close competency gaps between various educational institutions.
"The setting up of this training course reflects PAHO/WHO's strong desire to support the MSPP in any project aimed at improving the management, distribution and quality of human resources in health", said Mr Dadji Kwami, PAHO/WHO Acting Representative in Haiti.
Aligned with PAHO/WHO’s technical cooperation priorities, this innovative approach, supported by the VCPH, ensures consistent preparation of health professionals across the country. Since its inception, the Haiti Node of the VCPH has tailored its educational offerings to Haiti’s specific needs, providing courses in French, English, and Spanish.
By officially launching this program, the MSPP and PAHO/WHO reaffirm their commitment to supporting young professionals. This training marks a significant advancement in the effectiveness of health services in remote areas and strengthens graduates’ resilience in facing field challenges.
