Haitian Doctor Receives PAHO Award for Management and Leadership in Health Services – PAHO/WHO

Washington, DC, October 1, 2024 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recognized Dr. Jean-Patrick Alfred, from Haiti, with the 2024 PAHO Award for Management and Leadership in Health Services. The award was presented during the 61st Directing Council of PAHO, which takes place this week and brings together the highest health authorities of the Americas.

The award highlights Dr. Alfred’s leadership in developing critical policy initiatives throughout his professional career, particularly Haiti’s 2012-2022 health plan, which focused on a primary care approach to strengthen the health care system. health of the country, making it more resilient and people-centered.

Dr. Alfred is a distinguished physician, with a degree in medicine and postgraduate degrees in health systems and services and health policies. In addition, since 2015 he has been Director of the Studies and Programming Unit (UEP, for its acronym in French) of the Ministry of Public Health and Population of Haiti (MSPP).

His career has been primarily in health administration and teaching, and he has contributed to several research studies.

The President of the 61st Directing Council of PAHO and Minister of Health of Paraguay, María Teresa Barán, presented this year’s award to Dr. Alfred, highlighting his career at the head of the UEP and his active participation in strengthening the MSPP , as well as his leadership in the development of the Haitian Unified Health Information System (SISNU).

“As I receive this award, I think of Haiti, a proud and dignified country that, despite titanic challenges, continues to grow again and again. This award not only reminds me of the immense obstacles we continue to face, but also of the progress and victories we have fought so hard for,” said Dr. Alfred upon receiving the award. «Our collective fight for a more resilient and people-centered health system remains at the core of my commitment,» he added.

Through this award, established in 1969, the governments of the Americas recognize outstanding contributions to the improvement of health systems and services, and programs, projects and initiatives with proven impact on access to health care at the national or regional.

Previous recipients include Dr. Alfredo Espinosa Brito, of Cuba; Dr. Carla Romero, from Bolivia; Dr. Joanne Liu, from Canada; Dr. Reina Roa Rodríguez, from Panama; and Dr. Natalia Largaespada, from Belize.