Haiti: Increased Access to Health Care in Gonaives

While flood waters in Gonaives have mostly receded, some parts of the devastated town remain inaccessible and many people have not had access to healthcare, clean water, and food for 15 days.  An MSF team continues to support the Raboteau Health Center in Gonaives, where more than one thousand consultations have been carried out to date.  The five-person team has treated 250 wounded people and carried out 20 minor and major surgical procedures there. More and more people are now presenting with pathologies consistent with flooded conditions, including diarrhea, respiratory infections, and skin diseases.

To improve access to health care in Gonaives, MSF began operating mobile clinics on September 14 in shelters where families have sought refuge. However, it appears that twenty other health centers are still inaccessible due to impassable roads.

Yesterday, a team of three nurses and one doctor went to Gonaives University, where 102 families with children have stayed for 14 days without access to clean water and healthcare. They examined 36 people in two hours, most of them suffering from fever, diarrhea, or respiratory infections. There is risk of disease propagating rapidly within the community, in an environment where people are gathered in close proximity to one another.

The MSF team in Gonaives now consists of 20 people, among them eight medical staff and nine logisticians. Additional staff members are arriving and 23 tons of cargo has just arrived from Brussels, including medical kits, water and sanitation materials, and medicines.

Plans are underway to strengthen mobile clinics teams to ensure the most affected are reached, and MSF is preparing to open a second level health center that can offer more advanced surgery.

Increased Water and Sanitation Activities

Over the last several days, MSF has installed five water distribution points in Gonaives.  On September 14, 60,000 liters of water were supplied. Yesterday, the team opened four additional sites and was able to supply more the 100,000 liters of clean water. With two more distribution sites opening today, a total of 150,000 liters of water will be provided daily.   Additional water and sanitation equipment is en route to Gonaives, which will help increase the total daily supply of water.

Further Assessments to Determine Overall Needs

In northern Haiti, which remains difficult to access because of flood damage, MSF teams have managed to carry out assessments and deliver drugs to dispensaries and health centers in Anse Rouge, Bombardopolis, Mole Saint Nicolas, Jean Rabel, and Tortue Island. Additional assessments will be carried out in Port de Paix, Chansolme, and Bassin Bleu and Hinche (central plateau).

In the Bas Artibonite area of central Haiti, assessments have been carried out in Saint Marc, Desdunes, Dessalines, L'Ester.  A visit is planned to Grandes Salines.

In the south of the country, MSF will visit Jacmel and Triburon.

Existing MSF activities in Port-au-Prince are continuing. MSF provides medical and surgical care at La Trinité Trauma Center, emergency obstetrical care in Jude Anne Hospital, and emergency health-care services and essential health services through mobile clinics in the Martissant slum.