Partners In Health to strengthen women's health services at temporary settlements

Parc Jean Marie Vincent settlement

Women with young children living in stressful environments—like those living in the temporary settlement camps in and around Port-au-Prince—are often more vulnerable to violence and disease. And Partners In Health (PIH) staff working in Port-au-Prince have reported poor conditions for women in these camps. 

To address these issues, PIH and its partner organization Zanmi Lasante are strengthening its women’s health service program at clinics serving four of these settlements, which are now home to thousands of homeless earthquake survivors.

Last week, PIH/ZL staff met with members of the women’s committee in the Parc Jean Marie Vincent, the largest of the settlement communities. The community members reported several cases of rape in the camp, and feared for their physical security after dark. The women also asked for more information about emergency contraception, post-rape STI exams and treatment, as well as family planning services, prophylaxis, breast-feeding, and infant care.

Hearing these concerns, PIH’s women’s health services program is working to strengthen and reinforce services. Rape kits and exams and prophylaxis are also available, and these services will be coordinated with PIH’s psychosocial team.  All mobile clinic staff will also be attending “refresher” trainings in women’s health basics--particularly the use of emergency contraception and management of victims of rape.  And community health workers  selected by the community committee are being trained to identify and work with at-risk women.

The team is also working to reinforce services for including family planning, sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis and treatment, and services for women with young children. The team is also working to provide all women seeking obstetric care access to skilled medical care, including access to c-sections, and prenatal care and education.

Additionally, PIH/ZL and  UNICEF are providing tents where mothers with infants will have access to infant care support and education; and a clean, safe, and supportive space to breastfeed their infants.

PIH’s clinics at the settlements will continue to involve local community leaders to address security and violence issues in the camps, as well as some of the underlying factors that lead to these issues--lack of shelter, clean water, sanitation, and lighting. The mobile clinic team is working closely with other NGOs to support a cohesive system of referral for all patients requiring hospital based care, including pregnant women and their babies.

By responding to their needs, PIH/ZL will be able to combat some of the health and safety issues confronting the women living in the displacement camps. This week’s emphasis on strengthening the women’s health services program is especially fitting considering that yesterday, March 8, 2010, was International Women’s Day.

To commemorate the day, the PIH/ZL clinics, in collaboration with the camp’s women’s committee, hosted a celebration, which included discussions about women’s rights, educational sessions, music, and dancing.