DistantNews
FLASH: Alarming malaria resurgence in Haiti
🇭🇹 Haiti /Health & Science

FLASH: Alarming malaria resurgence in Haiti

From Haiti Libre · (8m ago) French Critical tone

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Haiti is experiencing an alarming resurgence of malaria, prompting collaboration between the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Public Health (MSPP).
  • The number of malaria cases more than doubled from 2023 to 2024, with nearly all cases concentrated in four departments: Grand’Anse, Sud, Nippes, and Sud-Est.
  • Efforts to combat the disease, including the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, are hampered by ongoing insecurity and population displacement, yet the fight to reduce transmission continues.

Haiti is sounding the alarm over a dramatic increase in malaria cases, a concerning trend that threatens to further strain the nation's already fragile health infrastructure. The Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) has officially raised concerns following a significant surge in infections observed since last year. The numbers are stark: reported cases more than doubled, jumping from 14,436 in 2023 to 38,591 in 2024. This alarming resurgence highlights the persistent threat of this mosquito-borne disease, particularly in the Grand’Anse, Sud, Nippes, and Sud-Est regions, which account for 99% of all cases.

Face à une recrudescence alarmante du paludisme ou malaria en Haïti, le Programme des Nations Unies pour le Développement (PNUD) collabore étroitement avec le Ministère de la Santé Publique (MSPP) pour renforcer la réponse nationale

— PNUD/MSPPOfficial statement on the collaboration to address the alarming rise in malaria cases.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is working hand-in-hand with the MSPP to bolster the national response. Key interventions include mass distribution campaigns for insecticide-treated mosquito nets, a critical preventive measure. However, the implementation of these vital public health initiatives is fraught with immense challenges. Teams on the ground, largely composed of dedicated women, are navigating extremely difficult conditions. Access to remote households is often impossible by vehicle, forcing health workers to travel on foot or utilize alternative transport, a testament to their unwavering commitment to reaching the most vulnerable populations.

Le nombre de cas a plus que doublé récemment, passant de 14 ,436 en 2023 à 38,591 cas enregistrés en 2024.

— Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population (MSPP)Statistics highlighting the dramatic increase in malaria cases in Haiti.

Compounding these health challenges is the pervasive insecurity gripping Haiti. The ongoing instability and resulting population displacement severely disrupt efforts to control malaria. Despite these formidable obstacles, the national plan to eliminate malaria persists. The focus remains on strengthening community-based screening and diagnosis to drastically reduce transmission. While official statistics for the full year 2026 are still being compiled by the MSPP and the World Health Organization (WHO), the current trajectory demands urgent and sustained attention. The fight against malaria in Haiti is not just a public health battle; it is intrinsically linked to the nation's broader struggle for stability and resilience.

En 2025, la lutte contre le paludisme est gravement entravée par l’insécurité croissante et les déplacements de population.

— MSPPThe Ministry of Health acknowledges the severe impact of insecurity on malaria control efforts.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Haiti Libre in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog