The Office of the Secretary of State for the Integration of Disabled Persons (BSEIPH) has proceeded Thursday to the signing of an agreement, to St. James Hospital in Martissant with leaders of the organization "Development of Health Activities in Haiti" (DASH), which works in the field of health in Haiti. The agreement aims to provide free medical care in the network of hospitals run by the DASH, to nearly 500 people living with disabilities.

In his speech for the occasion, Gérald Oriol Jr., Secretary of State for the Integration of Disabled Persons, recalling the obligation of the Haitian State to provide adequate health care to people with disabilities, has thanked the team of DASH for this commitment "This program can serve as an example and of model to follow to arrive one day to have a free health service and accessible to all citizen," declared Oriol.

In addition to free health care, the beneficiaries of this agreement, members of associations regularly registered at BSEIPH will have access to community pharmacies of DASH and be able to obtain generic drugs at a cost of 100 gourdes by medication, whatsoever.

The access to the laboratory community of DASH is also provided in this agreement. Radiographs, sonographic examinations, paraclinical examinations and emergency care will be offered to disabled to preferential costs.

The DASH is also committed to provide these people, preventive health services in the areas of HIV\AIDS, of the family planning and of health education. In addition, all children under 6 years of program beneficiaries, will have access to consultations and free vaccinations at the medical centers of the DASH.

Was present at the signing Dr. Ronald Laroche, Director of the organization DASH, staff members of BSEIPH and DASH, representatives of associations working in the disability field and of beneficiaries of the program. Responsibles of the agency pharmaceutical PROPHALAB and of the organization FHADIMAC also attended the signing ceremony. The PROPHALAB has in addition donated a first batch of medicines for people with disabilities as part of this project.

In Haiti almost 10% of the population lives with a disability and only 5% of this group have access to health care.

HL/ HaitiLibre