Health for Haiti

The International Association of Health Policy (IAHP) and the Federación de Asociaciones para la Defensa de la Sanidad Pública deeply regret the catastrophe that the people of Haiti are suffering at present as a consequence of the recent earthquake.

The country’s social and health conditions before the earthquake were already below minimal standards, with most people living in extreme poverty and suffering endemic diseases related to malnutrition with the absence of minimal hygiene, healthcare structures and public health. These circumstances for centuries have led to one of the lowest life expectancies in the world.

The powerful countries, such as the USA, have for years forsaken and even directly influenced the domestic politics of Haiti, highly contributing to this condition. The ‘generous’ aid given by neoliberal international institutions, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, has also contributed. Even under the present circumstances they dare to offer loans with interest to a country that, for several years, has been in absolute bankruptcy. Haiti is a dramatic example of how neoliberal globalisation strongly impairs the health conditions of the poorest populations.

The situation has been strongly worsened by the devastating earthquake, which has led to a total collapse of essential services in Haiti. It is foreseeable that, as the days pass, the country will be once more forsaken, as has been the case in the past with different human catastrophes in poor countries. Nevertheless, it is imperative to demand that the country should be rebuilt under policies based on social and economical justice that establish social and healthcare systems which are able to protect and cover the whole of the population. This system must also be able to respond to any new crises in the future. Rebuilding Haiti should not be an excuse for immoral business or for another episode of social exclusion.

From the IAHP we appeal to the international health organisations, particularly to the World Health Organisation, to organise permanent plans to help Haiti without imposing any type of debt. These plans should contribute to the reconstruction of the country and to establishing a public health service that allows for all the citizens of this now devastated country to be treated efficiently and with dignity in the future.

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* The International Association of Health Policy (IAHP) is an international network of scholars, health workers and activists with the aim of promoting the scientific analysis of public health issues and a forum for international comparisons and debate on health policy issues.
* The website of the Federación de Asociaciones para la Defensa de la Sanidad Pública can be found here.
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