The Centres de Développement et de la Santé or CDS (Centers for Development and Health) are a Non-Governmental Organization that has provided integrated services and health care to the populations of some poor areas in the country since 1974.
The reason CDS exist is to contribute to the improvement of the quality of the living conditions of the population through health & development-related services according to the needs of the communities that are being served along with their participation.
To carry out their mission, CDS receive support from local and international partners and possess human resources who are engaged and competent and who work with a highly motivated spirit for good competition while they value merit, a sense of responsibility/accountability and the taking of initiatives.
CDS were created during a period of important changes both in Haiti and all around the world. The second half of the 1970’s is characterized by several serious events such as fuel shock and its consequences on the world economy, a new way to lead that is driven by the respect of Human Rights, the spread of the concept globalization of economy.
During this period, Haiti did not escape the upheavals of these transformations. Misery, unemployment, low school attendance, dominate the panorama. Such a situation aroused compassion in the heart of the great humanist Dr. Carlos Boulos and led him to launch, in favor of those in need, a call for solidarity among his friends of the same origin. Thus, in this way was going to come to existence this initiative of civil society aiming to help disadvantaged people in the areas of Health and Development. As a result, the Haitian Arab Center (CHA) was created.
It did not take long to become CHAPI in partnership with the International Plan. The Head office was established in Cité Soleil (Cité Simone at that time) to extend its action at La Saline, Petite Place Cazeau and to the provinces of Artibonite, the North-East and the North. Then in 1989, it was named the « Centres de Développement et de la Santé ».
Apart from the health-related activities, to fulfill or carry out its mission, the institution relies on the following sub-components: Education, Drinking Water, Sanitation, Credit Program and Technical Assistance.
CDS intervene as a priority in the areas of Health and Development through activities including comprehensive care for women and children according to the National Health Plan; the fight against the STI’s /HIV/AIDS and opportunistic infections including Tuberculosis, the management of affected and infected patients as well as that of their families.
