Sunday 15 November 2026

Society

Breast Cancer: Raina Forbin Makes Prevention a Priority at the Foreign Ministry

By Kattia Cadet

· 2 min read

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Femme en veste claire parlant derrière un pupitre avec drapeau haïtien en arrière-plan

Foreign Affairs and Religious Affairs Minister Raina Forbin put breast cancer prevention at the center of an event held for her ministry’s staff on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Organized in partnership with the Groupe de Support Contre le Cancer (GSCC), the event was part of the Pink October campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the disease and encourage early screening. Ministry employees attended an information session on prevention and the importance of screening. Screenings were also offered on the ministry’s premises to encourage greater attention to health within the institution.

Breast cancer awareness event held at Haiti's Foreign Ministry as part of Pink October
A speaker addresses the breast cancer awareness day held at the Foreign Ministry as part of Pink October.

Personal stories to raise awareness of breast cancer

Beyond the medical information, two breast cancer survivors — a GSCC representative and a ministry official — shared their experiences with participants. Their remarks highlighted the realities faced by people living with the disease and the importance of support and solidarity. Raina Forbin, who attended the event, called for greater attention to health and prevention. She urged staff to make prevention a regular habit and to show solidarity with those affected by cancer.

A speaker addresses a breast cancer awareness day at Haiti's Foreign Ministry
A speaker takes the floor during the breast cancer awareness campaign.
Speaker wearing a pink scarf addressing the Pink October event at the Foreign Ministry
A speaker addresses participants during the Pink October campaign.
Participant dressed in white speaking into a microphone in front of the Haitian flag at a Pink October event
A participant speaks during the day dedicated to breast cancer prevention.

Raina Forbin stresses the importance of health and prevention

“This October, dedicated to breast cancer awareness, I wanted us to come together here at the ministry around a cause that concerns every one of us: health, prevention and, above all, life,” she said. The minister also highlighted the link between the population’s health and the country’s future, saying the well-being of women and men is an important issue for Haitian society.

Speaker in a pink jacket raising awareness about the fight against breast cancer in Haiti
A speaker raises participants’ awareness of the importance of fighting breast cancer.

A Foreign Ministry initiative for Pink October

Foreign Ministry Director General Christian Toussaint and Secretary General of the Presidency Marie Élizabeth Régine Haddad also took part, alongside several senior ministry officials. Through this initiative, the ministry aims to make awareness and prevention part of its efforts to support staff well-being. The event also highlighted the role of early screening and of support for people living with the disease, as part of the mobilization that Pink October brings every year.

Participant dressed in pink attending the breast cancer awareness day at Haiti's Foreign Ministry
A participant attends the awareness day held at the ministry.
Participant in a suit attending the Pink October event at Haiti's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
A participant attends the meeting on breast cancer prevention.
Participant wearing a Foreign Ministry badge at the breast cancer awareness day
Staff members and guests take part in the awareness day held at the Foreign Ministry.
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Kattia Cadet

Journaliste à Hebdo24, Kattia Cadet couvre la politique, la société et l'économie haïtiennes, ainsi que les questions de sécurité et de diaspora.

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