Diptheria in Haiti

[adgal]

We haven't (at least I haven't) heard much about Haiti lately. Sean Penn was on CNN (Anderson Cooper) tonight talking about how the real crisis is just beginning.  Diptheria has hit and people are dying.  A 14 year old boy just today.  Vaccines are not getting out although they are available, and there are also meds that could be saving them.  I know I haven't thought much about the situation there for awhile.  Death by diptheria is preventable and that is what is so sad.  Those that died in the actual earthquake, that was terrible but not really avoidable I suppose.  This is.  Sean Penn says agencies are stepping up to try to provide the vaccines and medications, but are caught up in red tape and beuracracy.  He said there was absolutely no excuse for the death of this 14 year old boy.  

[specialmom]

Serious illness in Haiti was inevitable after the quake with the conditions the people had to live in.  The country is so disorganized that providing care is difficult.  They are their own worst enemy and it is no surprise disseminating vaccines and treatment is not happening.  I agree with Iladvocates comments.  It is a very tragic and sad situation.

[ILADVOCATE]

Actually follow up right after an earthquake occurs is crucial as some people could potentially be pulled from the rubble and if they are will live and not won't. One of the main problems is firstly that in many countries charitable contributions are not directed in the manner that they should be (by the government corruption of the country themselves). Another is that some charitable agencies don't dedicate the funds in the manner that they should. So there are a variety of reasons for this. I know of an agency that has worked to set up health care clinics in Haiti and at this point they are distraught because they cannot treat everyone that needs to see them. Unfortunately that is a highly contagious and fatal illness and if people are not vaccinated, it can spread very quickly. Clearly there needs to be some direct coordination, firstly knowing exactly where charitable contributions are spent and secondly knowing how they are distributed by the country they are intended for. Unfortunately this kind of situation is not uncommon although highly tragic of course.