ARTICLE - BRAZIL - RESTRUCTURING HEALTH

IMPORTANT ROLE OF BRAZIL IN THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE HAITIAN HEALTH SYSTEM
(Haiti Libre) -

Alexandre Padilha, the Brazilian Minister of Health, was accompanying yesterday, in her official visit, Dilma Rousseff, the President of Brazil. On this occasion, the Brazilian Minister of Health recalled that "The commitment of the Ministry of Health towards Haiti, goes well beyond medical care," stressing that the ultimate goal of the Brazilian government is to help to strengthen the Haitian health system "Our goal now is to assist in the the restructuring of the Haitian health system, while respecting the sovereignty of the people of Haiti," adding that "the cooperation of Brazil responds to requests from the Ministry of Public Health and Population of Haiti."

Among the activities coordinated by Brazil, we can mention the construction of 4 health units: three Community Hospitals of Reference (HCR) and the National Institute of Rehabilitation (INR). In addition, the Brazilian Cooperation, plans the training of doctors, community workers and health technicians in Haiti. Brazil is also funding the repair of two public health laboratories for disease surveillance, partially destroyed by the earthquake of January 2010 [Cap Haitien and Les Cayes].

As part of the effort of the Brazilian government to ensure adequate care management and epidemiological surveillance in Haiti, a massive vaccination campaign against polio, measles and rubella will take place in the first half of 2012 .

Recall that last year, the Brazilian government had donated 30 ambulances and over 300 tons of drugs to treat cholera, as well as vaccines for several types of diseases. The actions of the Brazilian Ministry of Health are part of a trilateral cooperation involving Brazil, Cuba and Haiti.