Haiti develops national plan to strengthen prevention and control of respiratory diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential

Cap-Haïtien, September 18, 2025 (PAHO/WHO) - In Haiti, as elsewhere, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of strengthening preparedness and response to respiratory epidemics. In this context, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) supported the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) and its partners in organizing a technical workshop in Cap-Haïtien from September 2 to 4, 2025.

This workshop, opened by Dr. Hans Humbold Charles, Departmental Director of Health for the North, aimed to lay the foundations for a national plan for the prevention and control of respiratory diseases with epidemic potential, using a strategy to review national capacities organized by theme developed by PAHO: surveillance, prevention and control strategies, risk communication, and pandemic preparedness. Discussions were based on the 2019-2030 Global Influenza Strategy, the MOSAIC approach to respiratory virus surveillance, and the WHO PRET initiative.

Over three days, under the auspices of the MSPP's Laboratory Epidemiology and Research Directorate (DELR), participants representing seven departments of the ministry, as well as other sectors involved in the One Health approach, examined the national health situation and the mechanisms already in place, while identifying priorities for consolidating surveillance, improving early detection, and strengthening response capacity. The discussions enabled a participatory assessment of national capacities in key areas (pandemic preparedness, surveillance, operational research, prevention and control, risk communication, etc.) and the development of a multisectoral work plan to improve them.

The conclusions, presented by DELR Director Dr. Mélissa Etheart in the presence of MSPP Director General Dr. Gabriel Timothee, highlighted several key recommendations, including the need to finalize an inter-institutional memorandum of understanding to strengthen the One Health approach, modernize surveillance systems, and regionalize laboratory capacities. Participants also stressed the importance of using surveillance data to assess the burden of disease in order to determine the relevance of a national vaccination plan against influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), to integrate antivirals into clinical management, and to update the national pandemic preparedness plan to meet international standards.