Haitian Health Minister Visits the Dominican Republic

A Haitian government delegation, presided over by the Minister of Health Dr. Robert Ausguste, is visiting the Dominican Republic this week. The delegation will be here from March 27-30 at the invitation of the North American Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) whose idea is to familiarize the Haitian authorities with the successful health intervention programs being carried out in the Dominican Republic by this humanitarian organization.

Throughout their stay in Santo Domingo, the Haitian officials will meet with members of the Dominican BRA Board of Directors and strategic partners such as the Public Health and Social Assistance Ministry (SESPAS), the President’s Council on AIDS, the Clinton Foundation, Dominican Churches Social Services, DIGECITSS and the Canadian Funds for Local Initiatives. One of the fundamental objectives of the visit is to continue the agreement of the Haitian government to establish a permanent mission in the Dominican Republic by the year 2009.

“We are happy because the government of Haiti has shown enthusiasm and interest in our plans to develop Haiti,” said Dr. Ulrick Gaillard, Executive Director of Batey Relief Alliance.

The members of the Haitian health delegation will travel to Monte Plata where Batey Relief Alliance has two modern medical centers that are currently working in HIV/AIDS prevention, water treatment, aid to the blind, nutrition, primary care and education.

“We have planned a trip to Anse-a-Pitres where basic medical services are seriously lacking,” he added.

Dr. Gaillard and various members of the Board of Directors have traveled to Haiti on various occasions where they have met with legislators and high officials of this country. They were recently received in the Haitian capital by Prime Minister, Jacques Edouard Alexis.

“We are in the process of a collaboration of good faith with the Haitian government to improve the living conditions of the poor and sick people of that country who suffer from hunger and have many unmet necessities,” concluded Dr. Gaillard.

For more information about the humanitarian work of the Batey Relief Alliance (BRA Dominicana), please contact Maria Virtudes Berroa at (809) 540-4947 or visit their website at: www.bateyrelief.org.