On May 28, 2026, more than 200 babies accompanied by the J9 program at Hôpital Sainte-Thérèse de Hinche completed their follow-up cycle at a graduation ceremony organized by Zanmi Lasante. The event brought together participating mothers, their families, healthcare teams as well as several partners and guests who came to mark this important milestone in the program.
This ceremony marked the culmination of an 18-month journey designed to accompany women through the nine months of pregnancy and the nine months following childbirth. Implemented at Hôpital Sainte-Thérèse in Hinche, the J9 program is part of Zanmi Lasante’s efforts to improve access to maternal and child health services and to strengthen families’ knowledge of practices conducive to the health of mothers and infants.
Throughout the program, participants benefit from multidimensional support including medical, nutritional, psychosocial and educational services. Activities include regular consultations, awareness-raising sessions and follow-up tailored to the needs of mothers and children. Topics covered include prenatal consultations, exclusive breastfeeding, infant nutrition, family hygiene, prevention of certain diseases, infant care, as well as early recognition of signs requiring medical attention.
Beyond access to health services, the program also aims to empower mothers to make informed decisions about their health and that of their children. Several participants reported that the educational sessions had given them a better understanding of the importance of prenatal monitoring, nutrition during pregnancy, breastfeeding and regular consultations for infants. This knowledge is an essential element of prevention and contributes to the adoption of practices conducive to the well-being of families.
The exchanges held during the ceremony also highlighted the concrete effects of this support in the daily lives of beneficiaries. Mothers shared the changes in their habits in terms of nutrition, hygiene and childcare, as well as the importance of the advice received to better identify situations requiring medical consultation. These gains, reinforced throughout the program, contribute to the promotion of preventive behaviors and better use of available health services.
The implementation of the J9 program is based on a collaborative approach mobilizing several categories of professionals. Pediatricians, psychologists, nurses, community health workers and other staff intervene at different stages of the pathway to ensure comprehensive, coordinated support. This approach makes it possible to take into account the multiple dimensions of maternal and child health, while promoting continuity of care during pregnancy and after birth.
The graduation ceremony was also an opportunity to recognize the commitment of the teams who monitor the participants, as well as that of the mothers who have taken part in the program’s various activities. Their regular participation in consultations, educational sessions and follow-up activities has played a decisive role in achieving the objectives of the support cycle.
During the event, each graduated child received a certificate attesting to the completion of the J9 program. Gifts were also presented to the families to mark this milestone. These symbolic handovers recognized the efforts made by participants along the way and highlighted the progress made thanks to sustained support.
For Zanmi Lasante, this graduation illustrates the importance of investing in the early stages of life and strengthening interventions aimed at pregnant women and young children. Public health data show that the period from pregnancy to the first few months of life is decisive for a child’s development, and for the prevention of many avoidable complications. By offering structured support during this period, the J9 program helps to improve families’ knowledge, encourage the adoption of preventive practices and strengthen the link between communities and health services.
Supporting Zanmi Lasante means contributing to the implementation of programs that strengthen access to care, prevention and health education within communities. Your support makes it possible to continue initiatives that are essential for families, and to support efforts to sustainably improve maternal and child health in Haiti.