Cefaneffe’s promise to help her baby growup healthy

LES CAYES, Haiti – In the vaccination room of the Immaculée Conception Hospital in Les Cayes, the morning heat has just begun to settle in, yet the soft murmur of mothers and the gentle cooing of infants fill the hallways. Among them, Cefaneffe walks with quiet determination, holding close to her heart her daughter little Anne, barely three months old.

For Cefaneffe, the journey to the hospital was long and exhausting. Yet not a trace of discouragement can be seen in her eyes. This morning is not just a routine medical visit; it is the fulfillment of a promise to give her daughter the chance to grow up protected from preventable diseases.

"I am truly grateful," Cefaneffe whispers, her eyes fixed on her baby. "Here, we treated with respect, and they care for our children as if they were their own."

This climate of trust is essential in a context where uncertainty and misinformation can sometimes keep parents away from health centres, and it rests largely on the shoulders of the dedicated healthcare workers. At the Immaculée Conception Hospital, the warm welcome from the woman everyone affectionately calls "Nurse Néhémie" changes absolutely everything. Here, medical care always goes hand in hand with a listening ear. 

Double Protection

"We explain to the mothers that the vaccines are a gift for their child's life," says Nurse Néhémie. "Once the fear idisappears, trust begins to grow."

It was precisely this reassurance and attentive listening that that made all the difference for Cefaneffe.  After Miss Néhémie patiently explained each step of the vaccination process, the young mother made an important decision that morning to also receive her own vaccines: A double act of protection for the health of her family.

"Everything is explained to us clearly, and that is what gives me the confidence to come back," Cefaneffe smiles.

Breaking Doubts Within Communities

This shift in attitude toward vaccination does not only affect is not only limited to mothers. A little further down the  waiting room, Maxime, Anne's father, watches the scene attentively with a sense of pride. Not long ago, hewas reluctant to set foot in the hospital, held back by uncertainty and hesitation.

His perspective changed after meeting community health workers who came to speak directly to his neighborhood. "Now, I understand much better why vaccines are important," he admits. "I am even going to encourage other parents in my community to do the same." 

Through these daily sessions, an entire chain of solidarity and prevention is being strenghened in Les Cayes to help make vaccination a routine, led by the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) through the Southern Health Directorate (DSS).

In Haiti, every vaccine is much more than just healthcare; it is a fundamental right and one of the best chances for every child to grow up healthy. UNICEF, with the financial support of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, helps ensure that thousands of children like Anne continue to receive their essential vaccines. Like Cefaneffe, visit your nearest health centre to update your child's vaccination card, because vaccination saves lives.