By Andrea Miles | Director of Development
Merlin nurses have been treating men, women and children who have been victims of cholera over the last four months. Around Port-au-Prince (Haiti’s capital), response teams led by Merlin staff have treated:
- 80 patients in April
- 161patients in May
- 111 patients in June
The UK based Disasters Emergency Commission gave over $150,000 to fund Merlin’s emergency work towards prevention activities, helping to reduce further outbreaks and spread of the disease. The funding also paid for the treatment of cholera victims. As the outbreak escalated, Merlin employed more local staff, to ensure that all those affected were given rapid and effective health care and treatment.
In Jan 2012 Merlin completed the rebuilding of Basboen clinic (it was practically turned to rubble during the earthquake). Merlin staff took part in an opening ceremony with the Ministry of Health (MoH), carrying out support services with MoH health workers as part of a plan for the MoH to take over the full management and care of the clinic. Merlin continues to supply drugs, equipment, salaries, training and supervision, while also building the skills and experience of MoH staff in time for the final hand over in 2013.
At the clinic, Merlin staff work alongside the MoH staff to help treat cholera patients. During cholera outbreaks and the emergency response that follows, the clinic grounds are lined with treatment tents, disinfectant areas, beds and supplies. At the peak of an outbreak the clinic operates a 60 bed treatment center.
This specific cholera response in now over and Merlin are ready and prepared if the number of cases rise, with the next rainy season. It is hoped that deaths from cholera victims will fall over the next few years, due to the increase in response capacity in many of Haiti’s newly rehabilitated clinics. These include those rebuilt, equipped and stocked by Merlin as part of our longer term emergency response after the earthquake in January, 2010.
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