Dec 4, 2010
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Assistant to Director-General of WHO's Health Action in Crises, Eric Laroche has just returned fromHaiti
"We are using a planning figure of 400,000 cases over the first 12 months of the outbreak,' Laroche said. "And, half of these cases, which means 200,000 will be happening in the first three months of the outbreak. We think it is important to investigate into how this outbreak started and what strain of the cholera is spreading in the country."
UN and non-governmental agencies have come in for criticism regarding their tardy and lackluster response to the epidemic. Dr. LaRoche agrees there have been problems and says WHO and others are looking at what might have been done differently or better.
At the same time, he says it is important to keep focused on the major task of saving lives and making sure the sick are treated.
"This disease, as I said, needs a very high level of assistance in terms of staff assistance-not only doctors, but particularly nurses, particularly the simple agents who are going to wash the beds and clean the places and put the chlorine in proper places," said Laroche.
Dr. Laroche says there is a need for 350 doctors, 2000 nurses, 2,200 support staff and 30,000 community-based workers. In addition, he says it is important to do more awareness campaigns in the communities so people know how they can avoid infection if possible.
He says there also is a need for more access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation. He says every community should have a re-hydration center to quickly treat people with cholera.
Number of cholera continues to grow in Haiti
The World Health Organization reported the number of cholera cases continues to grow in Haiti
World Health Organization reported that all 10 ofHaiti
World Health Organization reported that all 10 of
Assistant to Director-General of WHO's Health Action in Crises, Eric Laroche has just returned from
"We are using a planning figure of 400,000 cases over the first 12 months of the outbreak,' Laroche said. "And, half of these cases, which means 200,000 will be happening in the first three months of the outbreak. We think it is important to investigate into how this outbreak started and what strain of the cholera is spreading in the country."
UN and non-governmental agencies have come in for criticism regarding their tardy and lackluster response to the epidemic. Dr. LaRoche agrees there have been problems and says WHO and others are looking at what might have been done differently or better.
At the same time, he says it is important to keep focused on the major task of saving lives and making sure the sick are treated.
"This disease, as I said, needs a very high level of assistance in terms of staff assistance-not only doctors, but particularly nurses, particularly the simple agents who are going to wash the beds and clean the places and put the chlorine in proper places," said Laroche.
Dr. Laroche says there is a need for 350 doctors, 2000 nurses, 2,200 support staff and 30,000 community-based workers. In addition, he says it is important to do more awareness campaigns in the communities so people know how they can avoid infection if possible.
He says there also is a need for more access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation. He says every community should have a re-hydration center to quickly treat people with cholera.
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