Clean Water Program
Water borne diseases have always been one of the leading causes of illness and death in Haiti, especially among children. The problem was significantly amplified in October 2010 when cholera was introduced into Haiti by UN peacekeepers from Nepal. Cholera is a waterborne highly contagious disease that is easily treated with rehydration and antibiotics. However, without immediate treatment, the cholera can quickly dehydrate the body causing the circulatory system to collapse and death within hours. According to Haiti Libre, “From October 2010 to November 2016 there were 801,000 cases and 9,408 deaths.”
Within a month of the first cases of cholera in Haiti, HAM opened a cholera clinic providing oral and IV treatment therapy and antibiotics to anyone suffering with cholera at no cost. HAM trained employees in the handling and treatment of cholera and developed protocols for managing the illness and for keeping the facilities clean and disinfected, a crucial factor in curbing the spread of this highly contagious disease. As a result, since its inception HAM’s cholera clinic has treated 4,074 patients through September of 2016. The effectiveness of the cholera clinic operation and protocols is highlighted by the fact that not one HAM staff member or volunteer has become infected with cholera.
Click HERE to watch a film on Cholera and the clinic in Dumay serving Cholera patients.