CDC in Haiti

Overview

CDC works to provide technical assistance and logistical support. This work is done with partners such as the Pan-American Health Organization, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other non-governmental organizations.

CDC Haiti advances the following public health areas:

• Global health security
• Health information systems
• Emergency preparedness and response
• Workforce capacity development
• Surveillance system strengthening
• Laboratory optimization
• HIV and tuberculosis (TB)
• Cholera
• Malaria
• Immunization

Global health security

Strategic focus

CDC’s increased support to MSPP has resulted in substantial advances in health security and public health system strengthening in Haiti. CDC's global health security efforts help improve the country's ability to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks. These efforts help Haiti reach the targets outlined in the Global Health Security Agenda. CDC supports laboratory and disease surveillance capacity and improved emergency preparedness and response. CDC also facilitates immunization efforts and addresses antimicrobial resistance.

Workforce development

CDC supports strengthening workforce capacity to investigate and respond to disease outbreaks through the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP). FETP is a vital component of Haiti's health workforce and in promoting health security across the public health system. Graduates serve in leadership roles as departmental health directors, surveillance, and provide crucial epidemiological expertise during emergencies.

Key achievements

• Supported the establishment of a laboratory-enhanced surveillance system and Haiti's National Epidemiological Surveillance Network.
  • This system monitors disease trends and detects potential outbreaks in real time, permitting timely case investigations. The network now covers over 60% of the health facilities across the country.

• Increased laboratory testing capacity by supporting the establishment of a National Specimen Referral Network for the efficient transport of specimens to the National Public Health Laboratory.

• Continued technical support to the MSPP to revise the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response tool.
  • This effort improved multisector coordination of national and sub-national disease surveillance.

• In 2023, CDC obtained engagement of the MSPP at the highest level to strengthen emergency preparedness and response through a systematic approach to assess country capacity to establish a comprehensive plan.

• Over 470 fellows have graduated from FETP since the program was established in 2011.
  • Since 2011, FETP graduates and trainees have responded to more than 4,000 outbreaks and emergencies, including COVID-19 and cholera.
  • Most FETP graduates continue to work for the MSPP as doctors, nurses, computer scientists, lab technicians, and veterinarians throughout all 10 geographical departments.

HIV and TB

Strategic focus

Through PEPFAR, CDC works with MSPP and partners to build a robust national HIV response and in efforts to:

• Prevent the transmission of HIV.
• Increase the accessibility and quality of HIV clinical services and treatment.
• Increase patient adherence and treatment continuity.
• Strengthen surveillance, epidemiology, laboratory, and health information management systems.

Haiti has the highest incidence of TB in the Western Hemisphere. CDC supports expansion of the overall availability of treatment for multidrug-resistant TB. To increase TB case detection, CDC has worked closely with the MSPP to build laboratory and clinical capacity at high-volume sites.

Key achievements

• Laboratory diagnostic capacity for TB has expanded considerably since 2010. The establishment of a national biosafety level 3 laboratory has improved multi-drug resistant TB case detection and treatment capacities.

• CDC increased access to strategic information by supporting the development and the expansion of integrated health management information systems.
  • This includes an electronic medical record system and a case-based longitudinal surveillance system. These systems support calculation of HIV estimates and helped inform the PEPFAR's 2023 Country Operational Plan.

• CDC is supporting trainings to improve quality of services and outcomes of beneficiaries.
  • These trainings are for departmental directorates’ staff, implementing partners, and the interagency PEPFAR team.

• CDC supports the national patient-tracing application (PLR).
  • PLR supports the electronic CrisisZone report to assist in tailoring actions for people living with HIV in areas with heightened violence.

Cholera

Strategic focus

Since 2010, CDC works closely with MSPP to control the cholera epidemic and reduce the impact of the disease. CDC supports efforts to eliminate cholera transmission include:

• Improving diarrheal disease surveillance.
• Enhancing laboratory capacity for diagnosis.
• Training rural potable water and sanitation technicians.
• Expanding water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) capacity.
• Supporting oral cholera vaccine campaigns.

In 2022, Haiti experienced a resurgence of cholera after more than 3 years with no cholera cases reported. Although cases are lower than at the peak of the epidemic in 2011, the disease remains a persistent public health threat.

Key achievements

During the 2022 outbreak response, CDC supported with outbreak control efforts and technical assistance in:

• Surveillance and laboratory capacity.
• Vaccination.
• Treatment and case management.
• Risk communication.
• Community engagement.
• WASH.

CDC also coordinated strategies with USAID to develop a high-impact emergency response plan.

Malaria

Strategic focus

Since 2010, CDC provides technical assistance on malaria control and elimination activities and interventions. Within the Caribbean region, Malaria remains endemic only on Hispaniola. CDC supports MSPP and other partners in:

• Adopting malaria rapid diagnostic tests.
• Monitoring for anti-malaria drug resistance.
• Adopting the policy for community health workers to test and treat malaria.

Key achievements

• Support the National Malaria Control Program and other partners to strengthen the country's control and elimination strategy.
• Provide technical assistance as needed in the areas of vector control, molecular surveillance, and case management.

COVID-19

Strategic focus

CDC played a critical role in MSPP’s response to COVID-19 and provided technical and financial support in many areas. CDC leadership and technical staff participated as core members of the national incident management team. CDC also advised on national policy and implementation decisions.

Key achievements

CDC provided technical assistance in:

• Laboratory.
• Surveillance systems.
• Case management.
• Infection prevention and control.
• Emergency preparedness.
• Personnel training.
• Case investigation and contact tracing.
• Vaccine administration, waste management, and surveillance.
• Community engagement.

CDC also provided financial support for:

• COVID-19 diagnostics.
• Border surveillance.
• WASH activities within health facilities.

Neglected tropical diseases

CDC assists with strategic planning for lymphatic filariasis elimination including new strategies to deliver mass drug administration medicines to at-risk populations.

In 2013, CDC began working with the Haitian government to initiate the Haiti Animal Rabies Surveillance Program. This program is a cost-effective intervention to reduce human rabies deaths using a multidisciplinary strategy.

WASH

CDC provided support to conduct essential repairs on drinking water networks ensuring reliable access to clean water for numerous communities. CDC also worked to improve water quality to reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases.

Vaccine-preventable diseases

SOURCE:

©UNICEF/U.S.CDC/UN#/Rouzier

CDC provides technical support to Haiti's vaccination programs in the following areas:

• Governance.
• Vaccine strategy.
• Surveillance and diagnosis.

Infection prevention and control

Developing infection prevention and control measures and updating standard operation procedures for healthcare facilities. These allowed for rapidly detecting and containing emerging threats to healthcare settings before spreading to patients and communities. As such, protecting healthcare workers and patients from infection in healthcare settings.

Dengue

CDC provides technical assistance to the National Public Health Laboratory in the investigation and testing protocols of dengue cases.

Featured success stories

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