The Effect of International Aid and Development on Maternal Health in Haiti

Maternal mortality in an ongoing health crisis in Haiti. Indicators of reproductive health are among the worst in the world with a maternal mortality rate of 350 deaths per every 100,000 live births. The health services within Haiti only reach between 40-60% of the population. There are many factors that affect the dire status of pregnant women in Haiti such as the lack of access to prenatal care, distance to health facilities, and the inability to pay medical fees. Haiti is considered the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and the ill conditions of health are directly related to this conundrum. For these reasons, Haiti has been a prime target for international aid. Since the January 12th, 2010 earthquake this aid has reached unprecedented levels. Why, then, is the general health of the country still so deplorable?