The resurgence of cholera in Haiti, confirmed on October 2 by government health officials, is extremely concerning in a country facing an already appalling health and humanitarian situation which continues to deteriorate, said MSF, which runs four cholera treatment centers in Turgeau, Drouillard in Cité Soleil, Champ de Mars, and Carrefour, with a total capacity of 205 beds. Faced with an explosion of violence and a fuel shortage, people are struggling to access clean water and health care.
"Unsafe water is one of the main causes for the spread of cholera, so a lack of clean water as cholera resurges is disastrous,” said Auguste Ngantsélé, MSF’s medical coordinator in Haiti. “Without drinkable water, treatment, and good waste management, the risk of a spike in the number of cases is very high. This needs to be addressed urgently.”
For several days now, the vast majority of the hospitals in the city, which, like MSF, depend on generators to operate, have been forced to reduce their services and may have to close their doors because of longstanding fuel shortages.
"We are facing the same situation as other hospitals in Port-au-Prince,” said Mumuza Muhindo, MSF's head of activities in Haiti. “We will not be able to operate our medical facilities for more than a few weeks if we do not have access to fuel. In addition, medical equipment, which we also need to continue to treat cholera cases and provide care, is currently blocked at the port."
