By Shields Sundberg | Project Leader
In 2010, following the catastrophic earthquake that killed more than 300,000 people, Haiti faced another killer – an epidemic of Cholera. In the aftermath and disruption of the earthquake with many homes destroyed and families displaced, Cholera ran rampant across the country. When the very first cases were reported, Dok Thony mobilized the SEE TEAM to bring education, clean water supplies, sanitation kits and the Oral Rehydration Therapies needed to prevent the worst health risks. The central hospital established a ward of 80 beds and all of the protective equipment for staff and families. With the help of the American Red Cross, Oral Rehydration Stations were established in the key population centers. This quick response would have been impossible without the already established Sante Nan Lakou practices. Borgne registered a rural mortality rate about one-third (33%) of the national average. Key to this response was the community education provided by the SEE TEAM. Residents became educated and trained quickly and effectively – learning how to purify water at home, sanitize households and quickly refer sick patients for further care.
Haiti now faces another outbreak of Cholera, and this outbreak is disproportionately affecting children under the age of 18 (who do not have immunity to the strain). The response to this next epidemic has been even more effective. Borgne’s population have retained the knowledge and tools to combat cholera. This includes a new home-remedy for oral rehydration at a lower cost and easier access and sanitation kits to decontaminate households once someone has become ill with cholera. Starkly, the communities immediately adjacent to Borgne are facing a similar rise in cases and mortality as in 2010. ASB has begun seeing these patients, with over 50% under 15 years of age. This contrast between two adjacent communities is an unfortunate reminder that the lack of a functional health system across the entire population leads to far greater suffering and disease. It shows how a community like Borgne will not only respond to the immediate crisis but will learn and adapt for an even better response into the future.
Our adaptive approach to healthcare saves lives.
Links:
By Carol DeNysschen | Executive Committee Member H.O.P.E. Haiti Outreach
By Carol DeNysschen | Foundation Chair
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