Haiti: poor before, devastated now

February 6, 2010 by sarahloubailey

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Prior to 12th January 2010 only 50% of Haitians had access to clean drinking water and less than this to sanitation and hygiene services. In 2008 an estimated three quarters of the population had no access to any kind of health care. Open sewage in the slums was common place and the country was endemic with malnourishment. The one doctor for every 3000 citizens was already overwhelmed – and then the earthquake struck into the heart of the country, its capital, Port-au-Prince.

On 3rd February Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive stated that 200,000 people had been identified as dead and an estimated 300,000 injured had been treated. He went on to describe the devastation to 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings which had collapsed or were seriously damaged and in need of demolition.

The aid response has moved from search and rescue operations to the treatment of traumatic injuries. As the weeks progress those with infected wounds and subsequent septic shock contribute to the burden of disease and the control of communicable diseases such as diarrhoeal illnesses and respiratory infections becomes a priority. In the coming months emerging mental health conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder may be immeasurable.

Before the earthquake there was a health crisis already in existence. Beyond the earthquake what health system there was is now largely rubble. There is overwhelming devastation.

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