PAHO Helps Sustain Haiti’s Blood Transfusion Services During Crisis

November 06, 2024

A recent article from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) describes how the organization, in partnership with the World Health Organization, has stepped in to support Haiti’s National Blood Transfusion Program amid a prolonged security crisis that has disrupted essential health services.

With funding from international partners, PAHO provided critical supplies and alternative power sources to restore power at blood transfusion centers, helping ensure the availability of safe blood products across the country. Working with the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service, PAHO coordinated the delivery of these resources despite closed borders and ongoing violence.

“The support provided by PAHO has made it possible to overcome the obstacles linked to insecurity and the inadequate availability of mains power, and to strengthen the resilience of the Haitian health system,” said Oscar Barreneche, MD, MS. “However, the situation remains fragile, and challenges remain in certain health departments, requiring ongoing support.”