Haiti Trains Health Workers as Diphtheria Cases Surge
The health ministry and PAHO/WHO launch training across four departments after 169 confirmed cases and 27 deaths in 2026.
Haiti's Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP), with technical support from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), has launched a series of training sessions to strengthen health workers' capacities amid a resurgence of diphtheria cases, according to icihaiti.com. The training targets four departments: the Ouest, Nord-Ouest, Nord-Est and Sud-Est. In total, 44 doctors and nurses from 17 health facilities are targeted by the initiative, coordinated by the Directorate of Epidemiology, Laboratories and Research (DELR) in collaboration with the Directorate of Health Services Organization. The sessions focus on early detection, application of national care protocols, treatment administration and prevention of transmission. They also aim to improve surveillance and notification of other vaccine-preventable diseases, notably measles and whooping cough. During the first 38 weeks of 2026, Haiti recorded 169 confirmed diphtheria cases and 27 related deaths, the report said. In a context marked by difficulties accessing care, strengthening hospital capacity is described as essential to ensure rapid patient treatment and reduce the risk of serious complications. The initiative benefits from PAHO technical and logistical support, funded by the European Union through its civil protection and humanitarian aid service (ECHO).