Dr. Ricardo Jean-Baptiste has pledged to modernize Haiti’s ambulance system.
The Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) has officially installed Dr. Ricardo Jean-Baptiste as Director General of the National Ambulance Center (CAN) during a ceremony held in Mais-Gâté.
This appointment comes at a time of significant challenges, including limited resources, fragile infrastructure, and the issue of nearly 200 employees still awaiting payment of their salaries.
The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Sinal Bertrand, praised the new director’s profile, highlighting his experience in public administration. He also urged him to implement reforms, particularly in regulating first-aid training schools and improving the institution’s internal operations.
For his part, the outgoing director, Renand Aristide, presented a review of his tenure and wished his successor success. In his remarks, Dr. Ricardo Jean-Baptiste emphasized the essential mission of the National Ambulance Center, describing it as an institution “of vigilance and life.”
“Leading the CAN is not about holding a position. It is about responding to emergencies,” he stated.
The new director also called for collective mobilization among staff, stressing unity, discipline, and commitment in addressing sector challenges.
His priorities include modernizing the CAN, strengthening operational capacity, improving coordination of interventions, and ensuring better emergency coverage across the country.
He also addressed Haitian youth, encouraging them to take part in rebuilding the nation.
Despite the constraints, Dr. Jean-Baptiste affirmed his determination: “I do not promise ease. I promise work.”
