Monday, April 16, 2012

ARTICLE - U.S. HEALTH SECRETARY IN HAITI

U.S. HEALTH SECRETARY, KATHLEEN SEBELIUS IN HAITI FOR 2 DAYS
(Haiti Libre) -

Ms. Kathleen Sebelius U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary is in Haiti for a 2-day visit to strengthen the ongoing partnership between the U.S. and the Haitian Government and strengthen health services in the country, particularly regarding the prevention of infectious diseases.

This Monday, Ms. Kathleen Sebelius will give a press conference at the Hopital Eliazar Germain, in Petion-Ville. On this occasion she will talk mainly about the importance of vaccines in public health. Tomorrow she will visit Les Centres GHESKIO, Boulevard Harry Truman and hold talks with the responsibles about the treatment and prevention of cholera in Haiti.

Recall that the Red Cross is supporting a project of $1.3 million for the vaccination campaign led by the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP), the Haitian government and the nonprofit organization GHESKIO.

Last week, Dr. Gabriel Thimoté, Director General of the Ministry of Health announced the launch of the pilot campaign of vaccination against cholera with 100,000 people. Dr. Thimoté had explained that each person would receive two doses of the oral Schanchol vaccine, which will ensure a protection rate of up to 80%. A more optimistic vision than that of the World Health Organization (WHO), which speaks of a protection rate of 65 to 75%...

To date, the American Red Cross has already paid more than $17 million to fight against the cholera epidemic in Haiti, including providing medical specialists and supplies, management of treatment centers, and by focusing on providing clean water and sanitation for affected communities.

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