Reproductive Health

Each year, the U.S. State Department Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor  is mandated to release country specific human rights reports that address individual, civil, political, and worker rights, as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The 2010 Human Rights Report for Haiti, attached and copied below, indicates much remains to be done.  Protecting human rights is a critical element of governance and one which the new administration must take on as institutions and infrastructure are reformed and reconstructed.   Protecting human rights will help Haiti become a country that is more fair and just for the whole population, not just the rich and powerful.

Konbit Sante is a non profit organization based in Portland, Maine.  Their focus is improving the physical infrastructure of Cap Haitian’s Justinian Hospital and building the capacity of its staff.  Konbit Sante has helped to upgrade facilities, water supply, electricity, medical equipment, and computer information systems.  In addition, it has set in place  numerous training opportunities for health care providers.  The attached annual report provides background on their accomplishments in 2008.  Especially exciting is the new Women’s Initiative, dedicated to improving maternal health.