World Vision Begins Medical Deliveries in Haiti

World Vision Begins Medical Deliveries in Haiti

Yesterday World Vision delivered the first batch of emergency medical kits to hospitals in previously insecure areas of Haiti. The first batch, containing medicines, feeding tubes, water filters, paediatric scales and oral dehydration salts was delivered to hospitals in Milot, near Cap Haitian in the north, and Hinche, in the Central Plateau.

Sacre Coeur Hospital, in Milot, was one of the recipients, a 54-bed hospital which gives priority to the poor from the surrounding area. One of the sisters receiving the supplies said, "We're really very grateful to World Vision for this help, as we only have two weeks' worth of supplies left."

World Vision Haiti's Heath Co-ordinator, Dr Lesly Michaud says, "Normally, the majority of hospitals and health centres don't have much stock. In times of crisis, it just gets worse. Now, health facilities particularly need medicine to fight infections, to fight pain, as well as intravenous solutions to treat the injured.

"In Haiti, we have serious health problems as a result of contamination of water and food. These just get more serious during times of crisis, as clean water and food hygiene become harder to find. People tend to get more infections, more typhoid, more malaria, all linked to water and food."

Some of the supplies donated by WV will help treat these water and food related illnesses.

"People here usually pay for their hospital treatment, so by providing these supplies today, we're hoping more people will be able to come and receive the treatment they are unable to afford," said Dr Michaud.

World Vision also plans to create road rehabilitation jobs to inject cash into rural communities. The goal will be to provide employment for 3,600 people and rehabilitate 36,000 metres of road.

World Vision New Zealand has already committed a minimum of NZ$50,000 from the upcoming 40 Hour Famine to address serious food and medical shortages in war-ravaged Haiti.

The 40 Hour Famine runs from 19-21 March and will assist children hurt by war. Individuals can also support the agency's work in Haiti by phoning 0800 80 2000. For more information about the famine see www.famine.org.nz

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