The situation of the Haitian healthcare system forces each of us to reflect on what is still keeping it going. Successive crises affect infrastructure, supply chains, staff mobility and patient access. Yet, despite these constant pressures, many services remain open, structured and able to respond. Much of this stability relies on the nurses who ensure, often behind the scenes, the consistency of day-to-day operations.
Their role goes far beyond clinical technicality. They give direction to teams, adapt services when conditions change, guide young professionals, accompany families and coordinate with community health workers. In our hospitals as in our health centers, this leadership is often what prevents a difficult situation from becoming a breakdown in service.
At Zanmi Lasante, strengthening nursing leadership amounts to consolidating an essential part of our mission. A nursing executive who supervises, structures practices, organizes units and supports teams contributes directly to the quality of care and continuity of services. In a country where every disruption can quickly deprive thousands of people of minimal access to care, this form of leadership becomes strategic.
Infirmière de ligne, Elna Innocent accompagne les familles avec empathie, mène des séances éducatives, encadre les étudiants infirmiers et participe à l’amélioration continue de la qualité des soins.
In remote areas, it’s often the nurses who hold the system together. They ensure continuity of chronic care, coordinate home visits, support nutrition programs, oversee maternal follow-ups and refer urgent cases. Their presence is an element of trust for communities and a lever of stability for facilities.
This reality must shape our priorities. Investing in the training, supervision and support of nurses is not a secondary activity. It is one of the most direct ways of maintaining a system that is alive, organized and able to withstand the pressures Haiti faces today.
Nurse leadership is a decisive force. It keeps services open, reassures teams and provides essential continuity for the patients who depend on us. Recognizing and strengthening it means affirming that the Haitian healthcare system can continue to hold on, even when the external context becomes uncertain.
Supporting Zanmi Lasante means investing in those who keep the healthcare system standing when everything becomes uncertain. By strengthening the training, supervision and support of our nurses, we are protecting access to care for thousands of families. Contribute directly to this effort.