Serving those in greatest need
For over four decades, GHESKIO has provided groundbreaking medical care to the poorest of the poor in Haiti. Our work saves countless lives in Haiti, and our innovations raise the standard of care in Haiti and in countries around the globe.
Treatment
Our doctors and nurses support more than 100,000 patients every year. We deliver holistic, coordinated care – always at no cost – including testing, counseling, treatment, medications and psychosocial support for men, women and children of all ages.
Since 1982, even before AIDS was named, GHESKIO provided free, quality care. In fact, we’re widely recognized as one of the first world’s first institution dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS. In 1985, we opened Haiti’s first voluntary counseling and testing center. We led Haiti in developing a model of comprehensive care for HIV/AIDS and related illnesses, and we continue to save lives by delivering innovative, patient-centered treatment for a wide variety of diseases, including HIV, TB, cholera, cardiovascular disease, and more.
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We’ve been in global health long before it was called global health.
Dr. Jean William Pape
Founder & Executive Director of GHESKIO
Research
We conduct rigorous research to prevent disease and help save lives in Haiti and around the world.
Our research program has evolved from observational studies to participation in large clinical trials, and we have been recognized as an international research center of excellence. Our main focus remains HIV, sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis. We also study and care for people with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cervical cancer. Since 1983, our research quality has been recognized by uninterrupted support from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
Further, some of our findings have influenced the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on when to begin treatment for HIV in low-income settings as well as tuberculosis prophylaxis in patients living with HIV.
Social Services
We understand the health of a community is measured not only in medical outcomes, but holistically. That’s why we offer an array of programs to help women and children lift themselves out of poverty and dangerous living conditions. Our programs have received global attention and include:
- Our thriving microcredit program, including small business education
- Our primary school serving 350 students
- Secondary school scholarships for hundreds of students
- Vocational training for survivors of gender-based violence, including our exclusive Ateliers83 merchandise
The largest medical training center in Haiti
As the largest medical training center in Haiti, we provide training for thousands of medical experts annually (doctors, nurses, lab techs, social workers, and pharmacists), as well as community health workers, community and religious leaders – thus expanding our ability to deliver healthcare to people living in poverty across Haiti.
Short-term training
Every year, we train hundreds of Haitian healthcare workers on how to test, treat and care for patients more effectively, plus we manage the national center for training in HIV testing.
Long-term training
We recruit talented Haitian students for long-term training in Haiti and abroad. Trainees focus on priority research areas, including HIV, immunology and virology. Our graduates leverage their training to improve health outcomes across Haiti.
Master of Public Health and Nurse Practitioner training
We were the first center in Haiti to offer courses toward a Masters of Public Health degree and Nurse Practitioner diploma. Our collaborators include Quisqueya University Medical School and Weill Cornell Medical College. In addition, we provide training for thousands of community health workers.
