Health: Government Strengthens Response Against Cholera and Post-Hurricane Melissa Epidemics
By La Rédaction · Port-au-Prince · · 3 min read · Updated 24 April 2026
Translated from French — AI-assisted and reviewed by the editorial team. The French version is authoritative. Read the original · About our translation policy
On the occasion of the 28th edition of Mardis de la Nation, the Haitian government provided an update on the alarming health situation following Hurricane Melissa. Themed "Public Health and Emergency Management After Hurricane Melissa," this edition highlighted the efforts and strategies of the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) to contain the resurgence of cholera and other infectious diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, and malaria, particularly in the Grand Sud and the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince.
A Controlled but Concerning Resurgence
The main guest of this session on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the Minister of Public Health and Population, Dr. Sinal Bertrand, presented an updated assessment of the epidemiological situation:
“Since January, 2,900 cholera cases have been recorded, including 20 community deaths and 7 institutional deaths,” he stated.
The Minister emphasized that MSPP teams remain fully mobilized on the ground, in coordination with departmental directorates, DINEPA, FAES, and MTPTC, to curb the spread of cholera and prevent the emergence of new outbreaks.
According to Dr. Bertrand, the most affected areas recently include the commune of Pétion-Ville, where a resurgence of cases has been observed, and the South, impacted by the consequences of Hurricane Melissa.
Emergency Measures Already in Place
The Minister recalled that the MSPP had anticipated the crisis by equipping hospitals and departmental directorates before the hurricane, to prevent the worst.
Priority measures include: Sending emergency aid to affected populations in the Grand Sud and rehabilitating damaged health infrastructure; Community prevention and awareness campaigns focused on hygiene rules, drinking water consumption, and food safety; Continuing sanitation, fumigation, and deratization operations in several communes, particularly in Pétion-Ville. Several cholera treatment facilities have been installed to strengthen patient care: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has opened a center in Bristou; The MSPP has commissioned a center in Thomassin; A new facility is underway in Canapé-Vert. The Minister confirmed that the 20 cases recorded in Petit-Goâve are currently being managed and that all patients are alive. However, several hospitals such as Hôpital Immaculée de Conception des Cayes, the one in Port-de-Paix, and the Paillant Health Center have been affected by the health situation. A Tour of At-Risk Areas To directly assess needs and support local teams, Dr. Sinal Bertrand announced a field visit starting Wednesday, November 5, to several localities: Petit-Goâve, Grand-Goâve, Miragoâne, Les Nippes, part of the Southeast, and Grand’Anse. He also acknowledged an insufficiency of disinfection inputs, a major challenge for controlling waterborne diseases, but assured that the government is actively working to bridge this gap with the support of its partners. Prevention and Vaccination: Focusing on Sustainability In parallel with the cholera response, the MSPP is implementing a national vaccination campaign against human papillomavirus (HPV), aimed at preventing cervical cancer in girls aged 9 to 14. “We will intensify media communication to raise awareness among families about the importance of the HPV vaccine,” stated Minister Bertrand. A budget of 85 million gourdes has been allocated to finance medical staff training, vaccine procurement, and the awareness campaign nationwide. Vaccination sessions have already begun in some displaced persons' camps, a sign that the government aims to embed prevention at the heart of its health policy. A Reaffirmed Governmental Commitment In this 28th edition of Mardis de la Nation, the Prime Minister's Office, for its part, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting affected families and preventing any new epidemic spread. “The government will do everything possible to protect the health and safety of the Haitian population,” reads the official statement published on the Prime Minister's Office's social media. The editorial team
Priority measures include: Sending emergency aid to affected populations in the Grand Sud and rehabilitating damaged health infrastructure; Community prevention and awareness campaigns focused on hygiene rules, drinking water consumption, and food safety; Continuing sanitation, fumigation, and deratization operations in several communes, particularly in Pétion-Ville. Several cholera treatment facilities have been installed to strengthen patient care: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has opened a center in Bristou; The MSPP has commissioned a center in Thomassin; A new facility is underway in Canapé-Vert. The Minister confirmed that the 20 cases recorded in Petit-Goâve are currently being managed and that all patients are alive. However, several hospitals such as Hôpital Immaculée de Conception des Cayes, the one in Port-de-Paix, and the Paillant Health Center have been affected by the health situation. A Tour of At-Risk Areas To directly assess needs and support local teams, Dr. Sinal Bertrand announced a field visit starting Wednesday, November 5, to several localities: Petit-Goâve, Grand-Goâve, Miragoâne, Les Nippes, part of the Southeast, and Grand’Anse. He also acknowledged an insufficiency of disinfection inputs, a major challenge for controlling waterborne diseases, but assured that the government is actively working to bridge this gap with the support of its partners. Prevention and Vaccination: Focusing on Sustainability In parallel with the cholera response, the MSPP is implementing a national vaccination campaign against human papillomavirus (HPV), aimed at preventing cervical cancer in girls aged 9 to 14. “We will intensify media communication to raise awareness among families about the importance of the HPV vaccine,” stated Minister Bertrand. A budget of 85 million gourdes has been allocated to finance medical staff training, vaccine procurement, and the awareness campaign nationwide. Vaccination sessions have already begun in some displaced persons' camps, a sign that the government aims to embed prevention at the heart of its health policy. A Reaffirmed Governmental Commitment In this 28th edition of Mardis de la Nation, the Prime Minister's Office, for its part, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting affected families and preventing any new epidemic spread. “The government will do everything possible to protect the health and safety of the Haitian population,” reads the official statement published on the Prime Minister's Office's social media. The editorial team
