Care 2 Communities: Strengthening primary healthcare in Northern Haiti

In Northern Haiti, home to more than two million people, access to quality and affordable primary healthcare remains limited. Although the majority of residents live within a few kilometers of a health facility, many clinics are under-resourced, poorly staffed, or unable to provide essential services such as diagnostics, medicines and patient follow-up. As a result, only a limited share of the population receives appropriate care, particularly in rural areas. 

Maternal and child health outcomes are especially concerning. Less than half of all births take place in a health facility, contributing to preventable complications and mortality. Fragmented service delivery, weak infrastructure and the absence of integrated community follow-up further undermine trust in the health system and delay care-seeking. These challenges disproportionately affect low-income households, women and young people, reinforcing cycles of poor health and economic vulnerability. 

Care 2 Communities addresses these gaps through a public-private partnership model that rehabilitates and operates primary healthcare clinics in rural and peri-urban Northern Haiti. Working closely with the Ministry of Health, the organisation takes over underperforming or abandoned public clinics and upgrades them to defined operational standards, including reliable electricity, digital connectivity, essential medicines and basic laboratory services. 

Each clinic delivers comprehensive primary care, including outpatient consultations, diagnostics, pharmacy services and preventive care. Community Health Teams extend services beyond clinic walls through home visits, vaccinations, health education and patient follow-up, ensuring continuity of care for underserved populations. 

Digital tools support clinical operations, billing, inventory management and reporting, improving oversight and efficiency. By combining clinic-based services with community outreach and digital systems, the organisation strengthens local health systems and maintains affordability through targeted subsidies for vulnerable groups. 

The project aims to expand access to reliable primary healthcare for underserved communities in Northern Haiti, with a focus on maternal, child and chronic disease care. It seeks to improve early diagnosis, treatment adherence and preventive care, thereby reducing avoidable complications and strengthening long-term health outcomes for low-income populations. 

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