An inspiring interview with a Haitian Graduate

Dr. Sophia Charles from Haiti, participated in our Health Systems Management Programme in May 2019. She tells us about its impact on her career.

Can you tell us about yourself?

I was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where I became a doctor. I wanted to work with vulnerable groups. I worked for 6 years for GHESKIO (Haitian group for the study of Kaposi's Sarcoma) immediately after finishing my medical studies. Most of my work has focussed on the care of HIV-infected patients, which also includes the management of opportunistic infections with tuberculosis at the top of the list. Subsequently, I worked in the prevention and management of HIV in key populations.

I also gained some experience in research (mainly on the chikungunya vaccine) while working at GHESKIO. I have now joined the Caris foundation where I work in an OVC programme (children infected and affected by HIV) which deals with preventing vertical transmission of HIV; the early detection of HIV in children and also provides psychosocial support to affected families.

A large part of your family has left Haiti. Do you also have expatriation plans to practice medicine in another country?

No, I have decided to stay put to improve the situation in my country. It’s true that a very large part of my family lives in the USA and Canada. But my parents, my brothers and sisters and I are convinced that we can make things happen locally and we have no intention of leaving the country. The situation here is very difficult. We have a lot of challenges, both culturally and economically. My goal, when I registered for the GIMI Health Management Programme, was to gain some tools to be able to make these changes.

Did the programme meet your expectations?

Much more than that: I was amazed. I draw a real parallel between the Haitian people and the Israeli people, because the two have suffered a lot. However, I’m amazed to see what you can do when you believe in something and fight for it. In Israel everyone dares and gets involved. This was a real lesson and great source of inspiration. The programme is extremely well thought out and each topic complements the other, each study tour illustrates the theory, it is like pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly together to give us hope that everything is possible and doable. It’s admirable.

Can you tell us how this programme will help you in your daily life as a doctor?

I can tell you that before my participation I wanted to make things happen, but without knowing where to start; it was like being in a thick fog. Now, first of all I know I can do it, but most of all I have learned the basics. My vision has widened a lot. I know where to get the tools I need. And the programme also allowed me to develop a different idea of a community clinic compared to what we already have and I think that I will be able to implement it, thanks to the knowledge acquired in Israel.

What would you like to pass on to your colleagues from African countries or Haiti?

One simple thing: Do not hesitate to get out of your bubble, to learn and be inspired. I know today that, thanks to my participation in the programme, I am able to implement beautiful projects in my country. My greatest desire would be to be in contact with GIMI graduates from Haiti, since we have been trained in this school of hope and we probably have the same openness and the same inspiration to make things happen.

Editor's note: The GIMI Alumni Network was opened after this interview took place. We hope that Dr Sophia Charles found her colleagues from Haiti.