Our goal has been to develop sustainable programs utilizing the principle of Best Possible Practices.  This principle involves recognizing the limited resources available within a community and developing programs based on available resources to the best possible outcomes.

Haiti Hypertension Program

Hypertension is a devastating problem in Haiti, both in prevalence and severity.  The incidence of stroke, an outcomes measure for hypertension, is 176 per 100,000 in Haiti.  It is double that of neighboring Dominican Republic and is the highest in the Western World.  Survival after suffering a stroke in Haiti is appalling.

  • CIC’s Haiti Hypertension Program brings together international medical leaders to develop best possible practices for diagnosis and treatment of hypertension and incorporates composite risk stratification and appropriate utilization of:
    • pharmacology
    • laboratory
    • ancillary diagnostic testing
  • Train healthcare workers from rural to urban centers, from medical and nursing students to graduated providers, as well as community workers.
  • Blood Pressure Specialist Certification Course
    • Based on the Virginia Department of Health’s defined knowledge and competency achievement levels
    • Sights and Sounds Video and supplementary online CME courses enable ongoing certification maintenance.
  • Implementation of the Haiti Hypertension Program in collaboration with:
    • Haiti Ministry of Health
    • Deans and Directors of nursing and medical schools
    • Haiti Center for Hypertension, and
    • National healthcare providers

Hundreds of Untreated Haitians get an opportunity to be evaluated and treated for this otherwise silent and deadly disease.

Emergency Medical Obstetrics (EMO) Program

  • First-of-its-kind program to attack the dreadfully high maternal mortality in Haiti.
    • 99% of all maternal deaths occur in the developing world.
    • Approximately 800 women die every day in a pregnancy related event.
    • As >70% of women deliver at home with little or no prenatal care, Haiti’s maternal mortality ratio is 630 per 100,000 live births (UNFPA).
    • A Haitian woman’s lifetime risk of dying of a pregnancy related event is 1 in 83 compared to USA of 1 in 2400 (WHO 2010).
    • Hypertension, Preeclampsia and Peripartum Cardiomyopathy are leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality.
    • As child survival under 5 years of age is tied to maternal survival, motherless children frequently succumb.
  • Trains medical staff to quickly evaluate, triage and treat women who present with catastrophic, life threatening illnesses during pregnancy or the postpartum period.

"We are extremely pleased and excited at the idea of participating by bringing our stones, in building together the CIC’s EMO program that will, certainly, help Haiti taking a decisive step in its fight to reduce the high maternal mortality rate."   Dr. Luterse Dupont, Haiti

  • Workshops to include a multitude of plug-in and proven training modules such as: Team Learning Labs, ACLS-OB and Helping Babies Breathe.
  • CIC web intubation simulation is a Haitian initiated collaborative learning program.
  • Implementation of CIC Emergency medical Obstetrics Program in collaboration with:
    • International Medical Obstetrics Specialists
    • Haitian Ministry of Health
    • Haitian physician groups at St. Damien’s Hospital, St. Nicholas’ Hospital and the Dean of the Medical School

EMO saves lives, helps keep families intact and empowers medical colleagues to improve outcomes.

Cervical Cancer Screening

Parasite Program

  • Infestation with worms is a common problem for children in Haiti due to lack of potable water and basic sanitation.
  • Symptoms of infestation include fever, failure to thrive, abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea as well as vomiting through their nose and mouth or the defecation of numerous worms.
  • For 50 cents a year, a child can be successfully treated with mebendazole, an oral tablet taken twice a year.

CIC’s School and Community Health Outreach Program

  • With the Ministry of Health and Operation Blessing International (OBI), this program has successfully treated hundreds of pre-school and school-aged children in the Central Plateau of Haiti.
  • A coloring book developed in collaboration with JAMS Books explains in picture format to the illiterate and very young how two Haitian children sick from infestation, are cured and learn prevention. The coloring book is distributed at the time of treatment and used in the schools to reinforce and help reduce future exposure.

Other CIC Partner Programs:

  • Breast Feeding and Lactation
  • Women’s Health
  • Vision and Eye Care