On May 12, International Nurses Day, we pay tribute to those who ensure the continuity of care every day. In Haiti, where political, economic and security crises have shaken the foundations of the healthcare system, nurses remain on the front lines.
They work tirelessly. They improvise when supplies are low, find solutions when roads are blocked, and restore hope in the bleakest of circumstances. They accompany patients every step of the way, from the initial emergency to the longest follow-up. They treat, listen, teach, and comfort.
At Zanmi Lasante, these faces have names. Erna, nurse in charge of the NCD program in Boucan Carré, helps her patients regain control over their lives despite heavy diagnoses. “Education is the key,” she says, convinced that an informed patient is a patient who can stand tall.
Darline, in Saint-Marc, coordinates the mother-to-child HIV prevention program. She accompanies women for 18 months to ensure their babies are born virus-free. Valéry, a nurse in Thomonde, changed his life after the 2010 earthquake to devote himself to healthcare. Today, he supervises nursing teams and advocates for continuing education as a pillar of quality and dignity.
Mydjie, who is also involved in the PMTCT program, has become godmother to a rescued baby. “This profession transforms us, makes us more human.” And Dieucika, a young nurse in Cange, tells how a successful birth after a critical delivery reminds her every day of the meaning of her vocation: to be an instrument of hope.
They all share the same observation: they give a lot, often without sufficient protection. Behind the uniforms and apparent strength lies fatigue, frustration, sometimes exhaustion. It’s not a question of will, but of conditions.
Those who take care of the country also need to be taken care of.
This year’s global theme says it all: Our nurses. Our future. Taking care of nurses strengthens economies. At Zanmi Lasante, this truth is lived every day:
- A well-paid nurse supports several people,
- A mentally healthy nurse is better able to manage pressure and deliver quality care,
- Well-trained staff reduce errors, retain patients in the system, and improve public health outcomes.
Madam Wadeline Begon, a nursing coordinator at ZL, calls for concrete action: “Create listening spaces, strengthen psychological support, offer leadership opportunities, review pay disparities at the national level … These are urgent measures. If we don’t protect our staff, the whole system collapses.”
Initiatives are already underway: weekly staff recognition, leadership training, access to digital tools, annual recognition for outstanding efforts. But we need to go further.
On May 12, 2025, we are making a clear appeal: investing in nurses is investing in the country’s health, economy and stability, and every effort to improve their conditions is a direct lever for saving lives.
Nurses are not asking for privileges. They are asking for the means to continue to serve, to hold out, to care. They are the ones who keep Haiti moving forward, despite everything.
And for that, they deserve much more than a thank you.
At Zanmi Lasante, our nurses stand up to care for others. Make a donation to strengthen their work, improve their conditions and keep this care network alive in the heart of Haiti.