Reforming medical training in Haiti: for the health of tomorrow

In 2018, an ambitious project was born to reform medical training at the Université d'État d'Haïti, the fruit of an interregional collaboration between the AUF's Americas and Caribbean Regional Directorates, supported by their member universities.

Numerous partners, a shared vision: transforming medical training in Haiti

Haiti faces many challenges in its healthcare system. The situation has been exacerbated by years of political instability, frequent natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has put a strain on the already fragile healthcare infrastructure. Haiti's medical faculties, in particular the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy (FMP) of the Université d'État d'Haïti, have long been faced with a major challenge.Haiti, have long had to contend with a lack of resources and curricula not adapted to the real needs of the population.

In 2013, faced with the challenges of the Haitian healthcare system, the FMP requested support from Université Laval. Their goal: to revise the medicine curriculum to meet international accreditation standards before 2023.

Initial exchanges led to two missions by the Université Laval team to Haiti, in 2014 and 2017. These visits laid the foundations for an ambitious reform, with the development of a preliminary plan and the creation of a steering committee. The re-election of the decanal team in 2017 confirmed the revision of the curriculum as a strategic priority.

At the same time, the Université de Montréal, which had been collaborating with the FMP on innovative pedagogical approaches for a decade, joined the initiative. In August 2017, the Laval and Montreal teams, sharing values of social responsibility, joined forces to design an integrated project.

The AUF, contacted in autumn 2017, saw the potential of this project and, from January 2018, supported this interregional initiative through its two regional directorates in the Americas and the Caribbean. This program marked the beginning of an important transformation, where the synergy of the scientific Francophonie translated into concrete actions in favor of public health in Haiti.

From conception to concrete results

After 5 years, the project has produced tangible and significant results, far exceeding initial expectations. Major advances include

For the first time, the UÉH FMP has implemented a medical program focused on skills development, covering the entire first year and part of the second year. Over 30 professors were trained in new pedagogical approaches, including the writing of structured, competency-based lesson plans.

More than 200 first- and second-year students took part in practical internships in community health centers and hospitals, giving them valuable first-hand experience early on in their academic careers.

In addition, the creation of committees, such as the Pedagogical Committee and the Program Committee, has ensured better structuring and organization of the faculty. These committees have led to significant reforms, including the revision of internal regulations and the development of online teaching tools. These tangible results were achieved despite a difficult context marked by political instability and insecurity.

The synergy of the Francophonie in science

This inter-regional project is a perfect illustration of the synergy of the scientific Francophonie, which transcends geographical borders. Each partner has contributed its skills and resources to support a far-reaching reform capable of having a lasting impact on the Haitian healthcare system.

The FMP of the Université d'État d'Haïti, for its part, has invested significant human and material resources. Decanal teams and professors have actively participated in curriculum reform, ensuring that adjustments meet local issues while respecting global standards.

Collaboration with the Direction de la formation professionnelle et du perfectionnement des sciences de la santé of Haiti's Ministère de la Santé publique et de la Population ensured that the educational reforms were in line with the orientations of the Ministry of Health and Population.alignment of the educational reforms with ministerial orientations, ensuring that the changes made meet national public health priorities.

The AUF's Canadian member universities, Université Laval's Faculty of Medicine and Université de Montréal's Faculty of Medicine, provided their pedagogical expertise. They mobilized several family doctors, medical specialists and professors, as well as an international relations advisor. Their academic contribution enabled teaching practices to be adapted to the specific needs of the UÉH FMP, while ensuring that medical training met international standards.

Finally, the AUF - Americas facilitated the implementation of the project by providing organizational, logistical and financial support. AUF - Caraïbe provided logistical and administrative support in Haiti, enabling project activities to be maintained despite the logistical challenges posed by the local context.

This inter-regional, multi-sectoral project model is a testament to the power of cooperation within the Francophonie scientifique to respond to global challenges, particularly in contexts of great precariousness.

Source: www.auf.org/