Haiti celebrates International Day of Older Persons 2025

Port-au-Prince, 1 October 2025 - On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP), with the support of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and partners, organized a day of action, screening, and awareness for older adults in Haiti.

Although Haiti remains a country with a young population, its demographic transition is underway: nearly 8% of the population is already 60 years of age or older, and this proportion is expected to triple in the coming decades. This progress is important and brings new responsibilities for the health system and society.

The event, held at the Hôtel Montana, brought together the MSPP Director General, Dr. Gabriel Thimothé, the Director of the Family Health Directorate, Dr. Cassandre Milord Michel, the PAHO/WHO NCD Advisor in Haiti, Dr. Cheik Diallo, and numerous ministry directors and officials.

The day's activities included free screenings for hypertension, diabetes, and vision disorders, ophthalmological consultations and dialogue and advocacy to promote inclusion, rights, and dignity of older persons in health policies.

In his speech, Dr. Milord Michel praised MSPP's initiative, noting that this is the first time Haiti celebrates this day on such a scale. He emphasized that older persons are leaders, mentors, caregivers, and agents of change, and highlighted the importance of investing in health, education, and social protection to strengthen their resilience and well-being.

This celebration aligns with the United Nations Decade of Healthy Aging (2021-2030), endorsed by Haiti, which promotes transforming attitudes toward age, creating inclusive environments, providing person-centered health services, and ensuring access to long-term care.

The MSPP and partners concluded the ceremony by signing a symbolic ministerial charter, reaffirming their commitment to an inclusive, equitable, and dignity-respecting public health system for older persons in Haiti, with PAHO/WHO's support to strengthen policies and actions benefiting older adults.

For more information about the Decade of Healthy Aging in the Americas, please visit: https://www.paho.org/en/decade-healthy-aging-2020-2030