The Dominican Republic and Haiti have been recognized for their binational cooperation in a public health effort initiated by The Carter Center.
The Pan American Health Organization named the two countries among its Malaria Champions of the Americas for their outstanding work in interrupting malaria transmission and developing local systems to access malaria diagnosis and treatment. Representatives of both countries’ health ministries received the award during a November 2017 ceremony in Washington, D.C. The joint work is the product of the Carter Center’s Hispaniola Initiative.
Malaria, transmitted by mosquitoes, is endemic in 21 countries of the Americas, but Hispaniola – the shared home of Haiti and the Dominican Republic – is the only island in the Caribbean region that remains endemic. The Carter Center launched the Hispaniola Initiative in 2008 to facilitate the efforts of both countries to eliminate malaria and lymphatic filariasis, both of which are spread by mosquitoes.
The initiative has assisted both countries' ministries of health by fostering cooperation, providing technical assistance, and helping to integrate activities between the countries' programs. This includes support for lymphatic filariasis surveys, mass drug administration to interrupt lymphatic filariasis transmission, and malaria surveillance and public engagement.
With assistance from The Carter Center, the nations' health officials established a cross-border pilot project in 2008 to target malaria in Ouanaminthe, Haiti (pop. 92,000), and neighboring Dajabón, Dominican Republic (pop. 27,000). The project included purchase and distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets; provision of laboratory supplies, motorbikes, and other equipment; and training for health staff.
It was their commitment to this project that earned the Haitian and Dominican ministries the Malaria Champions award. PAHO declared, “This malaria champion has set the path to malaria elimination in the Ouanaminthe-Dajabon border and is a remarkable example of a creative response to cultural diversity in a historically and politically sensitive situation that confronts many border areas throughout the Region and globally.”
Transmission of both malaria and lymphatic filariasis have declined sharply in both countries since the initiative began, and elimination is believed to be achievable within the next few years.
Related Resources
Video | 2017 Malaria Champions of the Americas: Binational Plan for Malaria Elimination in Hispaniola, which features ministry of health experts and Carter Center’s Dr. Luccene Desir.
Learn more about the Center's Hispaniola Initiative »
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