In Verrettes, in the Lower Artibonite region, Zanmi Lasante teams continue to support patients living with HIV, despite insecurity, population displacements, and the concrete effects of cuts in international aid.
Recently, Sindiana Normil, Regional TB/HIV Coordinator, and Edlaise Cina, Pediatric HIV Nurse Coordinator, visited the site to support the local teams. The main aim of this supervision mission was to improve retention in care, an increasingly complex challenge in the field.
When challenges pile up
Caregivers on site face several constraints: insecurity in some areas, constant patient migration, reduced available resources. These difficulties have a direct impact on continuity of care, patient follow-up and access to essential services.
During the visit, the team organized a meeting with community support workers, identified bottlenecks, and discussed concrete strategies for adapting interventions to current realities. A reorganization of certain functions was put in place to improve the response on the ground.
A committed site despite constraints
Despite the context, the Verrettes site remains active. The TB/HIV team’s organization and commitment are keeping it on course. The mission highlighted the importance of strengthening community work and creating stronger links between sites to limit follow-up losses.
“I’d like to salute the courage and tenacity of the Verrettes team, particularly the community accompaniers. Despite the current conditions in Artibonite, you continue to make patient health a priority.”
- Sindiana Normil, Regional TB/HIV Coordinator, Lower Artibonite
What’s at stake
When funding drops, it means fewer services for patients: fewer follow-up visits, fewer viral load tests, and fewer staff to accompany patients. In this context, every support counts.
Zanmi Lasante continues to do its utmost to guarantee access to HIV care. But to hold on, we need support.
Make a donation to help us continue this essential work. Every contribution helps maintain vital care, even in times of crisis.