WASHINGTON, CCMC—The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has awarded Haitian medical practitioner Dr. Jean-Patrick Alfred the PAHO Award for Management and Leadership in Health Services 2024.
The award was presented by the President of PAHO’s 61st Directing Council, María Teresa Barán, who is also the Minister of Health of Paraguay, highlighting his career as head of the UEP and his active participation in strengthening the MSPP, as well as his leadership in the development of Haiti’s Unified Health Information System (SISNU).
Dr. Jean-Patrick Alfred (center) receives the PAHO award.
“As I receive this award, I think of Haiti, a proud and dignified country which, despite titanic challenges, continues to rise again and again. This prize reminds me of the immense obstacles we continue to face and the progress and victories we have fought so hard to achieve,” Dr. Alfred said.
“Our collective struggle for a more resilient, people-centered healthcare system remains at the heart of my commitment,” he added.
The award highlights Dr. Alfred’s leadership in developing critical policy initiatives throughout his professional career, notably Haiti’s 2012-2022 health plan, which focused on a primary care approach to strengthening the country’s health system, making it more resilient and people-centered.
Dr. Alfred is a leading physician with a degree in medicine and postgraduate degrees in health systems, services, and health policy. In addition, since 2015, he has been the Director of the Studies and Programming Unit (UEP) of the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP).
His career has been primarily in health administration and teaching and has contributed to several research studies.
The president of PAHO’s 61st Directing Council, María Teresa Barán, who is also the Minister of Health of Paraguay, presented the award to Dr. Alfred, highlighting his career as head of the UEP, his active participation in strengthening the MSPP and his leadership in the development of Haiti’s Unified Health Information System (SISNU).
Through this award, established in 1969, the governments of the Americas recognize outstanding contributions to improving health systems and services and programs, projects, and initiatives with proven impacts on access to health care at the national or regional levels.
Previous recipients include Dr. Alfredo Espinosa Brito from Cuba, Dr. Carla Romero from Bolivia, Dr. Joanne Liu from Canada, Dr. Reina Roa Rodríguez from Panama, and Dr. Natalia Largaespada from Belize.
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