As Haiti secures its first-ever seat on the WHO Executive Board, citizens question whether this is a turning point for public health—or just more global theater without real change.

By The Haitian Pulse | June 1, 2025

Haiti has secured a seat on the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the very first time—an appointment hailed by Health Minister Bertrand Sinal as both a privilege and a responsibility. The news, announced following the 157th session of the WHO Executive Board in Geneva on May 28–29, marks a significant moment for the nation’s relationship with the international health community.

Out of the WHO’s 194 member states, only 34 serve on the Executive Board at any given time. Haiti’s election covers the 2025–2028 term, and Minister Sinal expressed gratitude for the support from fellow member states.

Minister Sinal said,

“Serving on the Executive Board for the first time is much more than a privilege for us—it is a commitment to actively participate in the major decisions that shape global health.”

He further pledged,

“Haiti will be a committed voice in advocating for a more inclusive, transparent, and reality-based WHO,”
while emphasizing the importance of sustainable financing for countries with fragile health systems like Haiti.

In addition to his role on the Executive Board, Dr. Bertrand Sinal, who has served as Haiti’s Minister of Public Health since early 2025, has been actively pursuing international partnerships to strengthen Haiti’s fragile healthcare system. Recently, he engaged in diplomatic discussions with the Taiwanese ambassador about opening a hospital in Terrier-Rouge and launching a cancer treatment center—initiatives that reflect a broader effort to address Haiti’s critical healthcare gaps beyond the WHO stage.

These promising efforts, however, exist alongside deep skepticism among Haitians regarding whether international collaborations genuinely bring long-term improvements or simply perpetuate old cycles of dependency and delayed outcomes.

Is This Seat at the Table Real Power—or a Decorative Distraction?

Haitians at home and in the diaspora have grown increasingly skeptical of the very institutions meant to help them. Many remember the cholera epidemic introduced by UN peacekeepers. Others see decades of global health interventions in Haiti that have failed to produce sustainable improvements—leaving clinics in disrepair and communities underserved.

The WHO has not escaped criticism on the global stage. From delays during COVID-19 to disturbing scandals in conflict zones, the organization's moral authority has eroded in many eyes. In that context, Haiti’s election to the Executive Board may feel, to some, like too little too late—or worse, a strategic move to soften critique while continuing business as usual.

One Port-au-Prince resident shared,

“We’re not asking for a seat at the table. We’re asking for the right to cook our own food.”

A Voice—But Will It Be Heard?

Minister Sinal’s pledge to build a more resilient and equitable health system is noble and necessary. But systemic collapse, gang rule, and widespread displacement mean that Haitians’ most urgent health needs—like access to basic care, trauma services, and maternal health—often fall outside global policy debates.

Representation matters, but without real power, Haiti’s seat risks becoming symbolic. True empowerment would mean not just a voice at the WHO—but the ability to direct funds, influence programs, and lead recovery efforts without the heavy hand of foreign intermediaries.

A Moment of Cautious Optimism—or Just Another Chapter?

The Haitian Pulse acknowledges the historic nature of this appointment. We also recognize the need to stay alert, informed, and vocal. We call on the Haitian government to ensure this position serves the people first—and on citizens to hold leaders accountable at every step.

If this appointment is to be meaningful, it must lead to tangible change for the Haitian people—not just recognition in global rooms where decisions are made without us.

What Do You Think?
Does Haiti’s seat on the WHO Executive Board offer a real opportunity—or is it symbolic politics dressed in diplomatic language?

Join the conversation below. Your voice matters.
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