PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI — Haiti’s Office of Insurance for Work-Related Accidents, Illness, and Maternity (OFATMA) has undergone leadership changes. Last week Vikerson Garnier, an agronomist specializing in forest management, was appointed as the new director general of the institution, replacing Dr. Carl François.
Recent reports on local media indicate that the nomination has sparked discussions among health professionals, with some expressing concerns about the potential political motivations behind the appointment. Garnier has no known management experience other than having been a politician and former parliamentarian. He is an ex-deputy representing Thiotte, a district in the Southeast Department.
In the last two years, gang violence and instability have forced the closure of numerous hospitals, including the State University Hospital of Haiti (HUEH) and the Chancerelles Maternity Hospital, The continued operation of OFATMA is vital to providing essential medical services to the community.
OFATMA is a public health institution that primarily serves public institution workers. It provides medical care for workplace-related injuries, general healthcare, maternity services and social security benefits. OFATMA operates under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST) system. It is part of a broader public network of hospitals that aims to provide accessible care to workers and their families.
The Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Georges Wilbert Franck, installed Garnier at OFATMA’s headquarters in Tabarre, northeast of downtown Port-au-Prince. He succeeds the experienced medical doctor, François, who led the institution from March 2022 to February 2025. Several employees of the institution, including the director of social security, Joubert Rochefort, attended the ceremony.
“I am sure that with Vikerson Garnier, the OFATMA system will be well managed,” Minister Franck said in a speech during the installation ceremony.
Garnier, for his part, expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé’s government for the trust placed in him and assured OFATMA’s stakeholders that he would work with them and advocate for their interests. He promised to create a supportive work environment for the employees.
“We haven’t come here to turn everything upside down,” the new director general stated. “We are going to take a different approach and ensure that OFATMA is efficient and effective in providing care and social assistance to public workers and their family members.”
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OFATMA in Haiti names new director general | PHOTOS was first posted on February 25, 2025 at 9:18 am.
