 January 2012: Crisis In Pestel
As we began to put together this report regarding the current cholera outbreak in Pestel, we realized that exactly one year ago, this was the title of the email we sent out informing you of the urgent situation in Haiti...and this year the story is much worse. Since the outbreak in October of 2010, cholera has continued to be a problem and the World Health Organization anticipated the number of cases in Hispaniola (Haiti & Dominican Republic) to reach 500,000 before the end of 2011. To date, over 7000 deaths nationwide have been reported.
I am now on my way to Pestel with a truck loaded down with supplies for the three Cholera Treatment Centers we are setting up in this area. Thanks to the generosity of many, water, medicine, cots, tents, and other needed supplies are on their way to this region. We are going with heavy hearts, but at the same time, we are rejoicing at the goodness of God in giving us the opportunity to bring this help to those will die without it. Our location near the airport in Port-au-Prince has made us a prime location for the staging of supplies and personnel. We are so blessed to be able to be in a position to offer this important service and bring these desperately needed supplies to this region. The following information was given to me during a 3 hour interview with Dr. Philip Seneque who heads the clinic in Pestel... Our two main problems regarding healthcare and treatment for those living in this area:
Lack of funds to hire nurses and community workers close to the infected areas. The sick cannot make the walk to Pestel. They die before reaching the clinic.
Lack of funds to purchase the necessary supplies.
 The believed source of contamination: There is a spring near Desriveaux that the majority of people in this area get their water from and haul it long distances. Dr. Philip believes this is possibly the main source of infection. It is an isolated area hidden from the mainstream of people, therefore it is used as a bathroom area. Waste seeps into the existing water supply and the contaminated water is then hauled to other areas where there are known cases (Pavion). Our Plan of Action: Set up three emergency stations (CTC - Cholera Treatment Centers). There have been at least 10 known deaths, 7 additional deaths possibly due to infection and of course there are undoubtedly many that go unreported. Many more will die without the immediate response of appropriate treatment, care and education.
Station 1 - Desriveaux - (29 cases found here and surrounding area) - This village is central to most infected areas. The local authorities have loaned us an empty house to use. There may be two government sponsored auxiliary nurses sent.
Station 2 - Perla - This will cover surrounding villages of Marchon and Pavion. (We will be sending team members to this area to scout out and verify the situation there).
Station 3 - Tozia - (17 cases found here and surrounding area) - This area has two nurses, but no house for the clinic or supplies. We will use this area as a main receiving depot to truck all supplies, food and water to Pastor Leni's church in Joli Guibert as a distribution point. Teaching stations will be set up for instruction on the necessity of boiling water and the use of Clorox or tablets for disinfecting the water supply.
We will need two nurses and one worker at all sites - Nurses would be $150 each, workers $100. We have received discounted rates from a water supply company: 1500 large sacks, holding 60 water packets each, giving us 90,000 packets. The water will cost $1500, transport from PAP to Joli Guibert will cost $800. We will need local transportation along with our four-wheeled vehicle to transport water, medicine & supplies to the affected areas where we will set up the emergency stations. We are planning to take as much food as possible to give to the families coming to the clinics. After this crisis passes, we will be meeting with the mayor and village leaders to discuss outhouse sanitation possibilities.
Dr. Philip is so grateful for the help that is on the way...we will be sending back reports after arriving there and assessing the situation.
Blessings, Miriam
Update: (submitted by Michele Cyr in Haiti) Thursday January 5, 2012 A prayer service was held in room 3 at the orphanage. About ten of us gathered and prayed for God to remove obstacles, release containers held up in customs, prepare hearts and bring resources to meet the needs in Haiti.
Friday January 6, 2012 A truckload arrived at New Life carrying antibiotics, disinfectants, gloves, other medical supplies and 50 boxes of pedialyte. PRAISE GOD!
Saturday January 7, 2012 A plan was developed with the help of Dr. Philip, an amazing medical doctor/coordinator, to treat the cholera victims up in the mountainous region of Pestel. Miriam and others at New Life made calls, gathered supplies, and compiled a team of medical people excited to bring healing and education to the sick people in the Pestel area.
Monday January 9, 2012: Miriam and a team of doctors and nurses set out on a journey to a region high in the mountains near Pestel, Haiti. They will travel nearly 10 hours to set up cholera clinics in three strategic locations (Perla, Deriveaux and Tozia). Cholera is becoming an epidemic in this area once again. This medical team is traveling with 30,000 packets of clean water, 10,000 aqua tabs (which will provide 50,000 liters of sanitary and clean water.. amen!), antibiotics, disinfectants, IV drip bags, towels, sheets, barrels for storing clean water and Pedialyte. They plan to treat the cholera victims and teach cholera prevention methods as well as how to treat cholera. It was no coincidence that a truck carrying medical supplies arrived here on Friday, enabling this trip to happen! Praise God for his faithfulness!
Thursday January 12, 2012
The team is due back to Port-Au-Prince.
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