Towards the end of 2010, cholera hit Haiti hard.  Most assume that Nepal UN workers bought it in to Haiti.  Once the river by their base was contaminated with sewage, the bacteria quickly spread throughout the whole country. According to PAH/WHO, Haiti recorded 814,551 suspected cases of cholera with 9,693 deaths between October 2010 and 31 July 2017.  There were many more that were never able to be reported.

An article from ACTED (in French) that came out this past week, claims that there hasn’t been a single case since July 2018.  ACTED visits our center frequently and maintains good communication with us.  All centers must send specimens to the national lab.  We rarely receive the test results back.  We have had suspected cases, but are unable to confirm from the national lab.

Last month, the health department required Cholera Treatment Centers (CTC) to change their names to Acute Diarrhea Treatment Center and announced Haiti is in the elimination stage of cholera.  Though we all want this to be true and be done with this horrible illness, there are some that doubt this to be true.  We are hoping and praying that cholera is coming to an end in Haiti.  Though nothing has been decided yet, we are anticipating changes with the center at the direction of the Haitian health department.

Regardless of the politics, we continue to remain open and treat those who come to the center.  The center remains open 24/7 with a staff of 3 (nurse, hygienist, security).  Many are in a state of severe dehydration due to bacterial or viral contamination, other than cholera.  Some are HIV+.  Others can’t find an open hospital in the middle of the night/weekend/holiday to care for them.  Some just don’t have the money to go to a hospital and know that we provide free care.  We try to meet the needs of each patient by treating them or referring them on to another hospital that can treat them.

Thank you for giving us the tools to care for 13,213 patients with cholera and diarrhea during the last 8 1/2 years.  Thousands have been saved from death and given another chance at life.  We so appreciate each an every partner that has stood with us during these years.  Words can’t express what it means to have a group of supporters that have stepped up with every spike in cases – sending funds to pay employees, helping to install solar lights, shipping cots and stretchers, praying for strength, connecting us to those with IV fluids, purchasing medications not available in Haiti to send in, and building the 75-bed center.

We trust that God knows what He is doing and what is to come.  Please pray with us as we discuss and seek God about how to proceed with our services and facilities.  May He be glorified in all that is done at RHFH.