Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Planning in Haiti: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Coordinating Palliative Care and Medical Support in Haiti

   • Hospital care and home medical follow-up: In Haiti, specialized care for serious, progressive, or advanced illnesses is coordinated through public and university hospitals supervised by the Ministry of Public Health and Population (Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population), as well as through private hospitals and specialized oncology and pain management centers [2] [5].
   • Comprehensive medical file and analgesic prescriptions: It is advisable to ask the attending specialist physician for a detailed medical report documenting the diagnosis, clinical stage, and inpatient or home supportive care plan, together with the official prescriptions required for continuous access to pain relief medication and nursing supplies [2].
   • Activating health insurance and OFATMA coverage: If the ill person holds private health insurance coverage or is covered under the Work Accident, Sickness, and Maternity Insurance Office (OFATMA) or social medical programs linked to the National Old-Age Insurance Office (Office National d'Assurance-Vieillesse), the family should notify the insurer promptly to confirm coverage for inpatient or home-based care [2].
2. 2

   Documenting Medical Wishes and Appointing a Family Spokesperson

   • Haitian legal framework on informed medical consent: Although Haitian law does not establish a standalone national registry for standardized advance directives, medical ethics rules overseen by the Ministry of Public Health and Population and personal rights protected under the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (Ministère de la Justice et de la Sécurité Publique) uphold informed patient consent and the right to express therapeutic preferences [4] [5].
   • Notarized written declaration of medical wishes: While the ill person retains full decision-making capacity, they may execute an authentic deed or solemn written declaration before a Haitian public notary setting out their instructions regarding proportionate medical care, comfort measures, and the refusal of disproportionate invasive interventions [3] [4] [5].
   • Designating a trusted healthcare spokesperson: In the same notarized document, it is advisable to name a trusted adult relative authorized to communicate with the medical team and ensure respect for the patient's stated wishes if they become unable to express themselves independently, and to provide a certified copy to the attending physician for inclusion in the hospital file [3] [5].
3. 3

   Executing Bank Authorizations and Notarial Powers of Attorney

   • General or special power of attorney before a notary in Haiti: Under the Haitian Civil Code administered under the authority of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (Ministère de la Justice et de la Sécurité Publique), it is a priority to execute a notarial power of attorney (mandat notarié, either a general power of administration or a special mandate) before a commissioned public notary while your family member retains full civil capacity [3] [5]. If health constraints prevent travel, the public notary can visit the home or hospital bedside to record the grantor's consent and signature [3] [5].
   • Consular power of attorney when family members reside abroad: When legal or financial matters must be coordinated between Haiti and family members abroad, the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Washington (Ambassade de la République d'Haïti à Washington) and the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Canada (Ambassade de la République d'Haïti au Canada) provide consular services to execute or legalize official powers of attorney specifying the attorney-in-fact's Tax Identification Number (NIF) and National Identification Card [1] [3] [4].
   • Registering powers of attorney with Haitian commercial banks: Commercial banks in Haiti frequently require the account holder to sign the bank's own internal mandate forms or require formal verification of a Haitian notarial power of attorney by their legal department before incapacity occurs, ensuring that the representative can pay medical and household expenses without account freezes [3] [4].
4. 4

   Activating Disability Benefits and Social Support before ONA

   • Disability pension and social benefits from ONA: If your family member is a contributing private-sector employee who has become permanently unable to engage in gainful employment due to illness, an application for a disability pension (pension d'invalidité) or incapacity benefit may be filed with the National Old-Age Insurance Office (Office National d'Assurance-Vieillesse) [2]. The application file includes a detailed medical certificate, the insured person's insurance booklet or card, their National Identification Card, and proof of cessation of work [2].
   • Public-sector employee entitlements and representative payment mandates: For civil servants of the Haitian state, applications for extended medical leave or early retirement on grounds of disability are handled by the competent departments of the Ministry of Economy and Finance [2] [5]. The National Old-Age Insurance Office (Office National d'Assurance-Vieillesse) also allows the designation of an authorized representative to collect monthly benefits when the insured person can no longer travel in person [2] [3].
5. 5

   Preventive Organization of Wills, Insurance Policies, and Civil Status Records

   • Drafting a public, holographic, or mystic will: The Haitian Civil Code recognizes three forms of wills under the supervision of the courts within the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (Ministère de la Justice et de la Sécurité Publique): a public will (testament par acte public) executed before two notaries or one notary assisted by witnesses, a holographic will written, dated, and signed entirely in the testator's own hand, and a mystic (sealed) will [4] [5]. Executing a public will before a notary provides the strongest legal certainty while respecting statutory forced heirship shares (réserve héréditaire) for descendants or ascendants [5].
   • Reviewing beneficiary clauses and property deeds: You should review life insurance policies, savings accounts, and property deeds registered with the General Directorate of Taxes (Direction Générale des Impôts) to ensure that all supporting records are complete and up to date [2] [5].
   • Updating National Archives extracts and international legalization: To prevent lengthy delays later on, it is advisable to gather official extracts of birth and marriage certificates now from the National Archives of Haiti or through the consular channels of the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Canada (Ambassade de la République d'Haïti au Canada) and the civil status section of the Embassy of France in Haiti where dual nationals are involved [1] [6]. If assets or heirs are located abroad, document legalization follows the official chain procedure outlined by the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Washington (Ambassade de la République d'Haïti à Washington) [3] [4].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Civil Status Records and Requests for Extracts from the National Archives of Haiti — Ambassade de la République d'Haïti au Canada
2. [2]
   Benefits and Services: Old-Age Insurance, Disability, and Social Support — Office National d'Assurance-Vieillesse (ONA)
3. [3]
   Executing a Power of Attorney (Mandat) and Legal Representation in Haiti — Ambassade de la République d'Haïti à Washington
4. [4]
   Legalization of Haitian Documents and Validity of Notarial Deeds — Ambassade de la République d'Haïti à Washington
5. [5]
   Legal Services, Civil Status, and Courts under the MJSP — Ministère de la Justice et de la Sécurité Publique (MJSP)
6. [6]
   Civil Status Formalities and Consular Coordination in Haiti — Ambassade de France en Haïti