Citation

Kligerman M, Barry M, Walmer D, Bendavid E. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 2014; 92(2): 448-453.

Affiliation

Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Family Health Ministries, Durham, North Carolina; Center for Innovation and Global Health, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Division of General Medical Disciplines, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, North Carolina; Center for Health Policy/Primary Care and Outcomes Research, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Publisher American Society of Tropical Medicine)

DOI

10.4269/ajtmh.14-0379

PMID

25510716

Abstract

The reconstruction of healthcare systems in developing countries after natural disasters is poorly understood. Using data collected before and after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, we detail the response of aid agencies and their interaction with local healthcare providers in Leogane, the city closest to the epicenter. We find that the period after the earthquake was associated with an increase in the total number of healthcare facilities, inpatient beds, and surgical facilities and that international aid has been a driving force behind this recovery. Aid has funded 12 of 13 new healthcare facilities that have opened since the earthquake as well as the reconstruction of 7 of 8 healthcare facilities that have been rebuilt. Despite increases in free, aid-financed healthcare, private Haitian healthcare facilities have remained at a constant number. The planned phase-out of several aid-financed facilities, however, will leave Leogane with fewer inpatient beds and healthcare services compared with the pre-earthquake period.

Language: en