Friends: Too often, world powers focus on containing an infectious disease and ignore people who are already sick— denying them lifesaving treatment.
PIH co-founder Dr. Paul Farmer called this the “control over care” paradigm. Responding to outbreaks this way is morally wrong, and it is also extremely ineffective. In fact, it’s one reason outbreaks are often more deadly in impoverished places. Not because of a lack of resources, but because of a foolish refusal to use those resources to treat the already sick.
Our experience has proven over and over that the best way to stop an outbreak is to do both at once: treatment and prevention—care and control.
That’s why we’re rapidly expanding our capacity to treat people who are sick with cholera even as we also prepare a mass vaccination campaign. Donate (matched) now to help treat the sick in Haiti and save lives >>
It is important to know that cholera is treatable. Rehydration with IV fluids is lifesaving, and many of our patients have already recovered.
We’re currently building tent-based cholera treatment units (CTUs) to expand our capacity beyond our 17 clinics and hospitals. At each one, lives will be saved. Those CTUs will be supplied by airlift to ensure equipment arrives exactly where it needs to go.
Your donation will be essential to providing health care in Haiti. We need your support, and if you donate right now, your gift will be matched by a group of generous donors.
