This week Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe and officials of the Bernard Mevs Hospital signed a memorandum of understanding for emergency care for the benefit of agents of the National Police of Haiti (PNH).

Visibly satisfied with the outcome of this public-private partnership agreement, the Head of Government affirmed that this health services contract for police victims in the exercise of their function does not replace the social security of the Insurance Office for Occupational Accidents, Sickness and Maternity (Ofatma).

In addition, this memorandum of understanding with the Bernard Mevs Hospital covers the entire national territory thanks to delocalized care through various partner hospitals. Also, the agreement includes a provision for transporting police officers stationed in remote areas to places most able to adequately respond to emergency care.

Prime Minister Jouthe underlined "It is important to note that this healthcare offer is not only aimed at police officers, it extends to and also benefits four direct dependents of each police officer whom they will have to designate according to the conditions set. It is also a question of relieving the police officers of the burdens of health care and of the concern which represent the important costs in their budget for the close relatives whom they are under their direct responsibility."

In addition, aware of the weakness of the health system Jouthe instructed the Secretary General of the Prime Minister, Jude Charles Faustin and his chief of staff Ms. Guerline Pierre, to set up a team capable of making recommendations by December with a view to provide definitive solutions to the various efficiency problems of Ofatma.

HL/ HaitiLibre