The deadly but treatable disease is spreading across the country and according to the latest government figures released on November 16, there have been about 8,100 hospitalizations and more than 170 deaths.
Esterline Dumezil is trained by the Department of Public Health and Population and by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).
“I have been working in the Cité Soleil commune in Port-au-Prince since 2014, for eight years now the situation has worsened, which means that the lives of the people living here are very difficult. They told me they were worried about their health, but they were also worried about the economy and security. They are very afraid of the return of cholera.
My job is to walk and raise awareness in the neighborhood. I provide a lot of information related to public health and now that cholera has broken out again, I go from house to house to visit families at home. I educate people about the importance of using treated water for drinking, home cooking, hand washing and other measures they can take to prevent further spread of disease.
Locals have many questions, they also want to tell me about their concerns and problems. I reassured them by reminding them that cholera is not a fatal and treatable disease. If the basic rules of hygiene are observed, then one can fight off diseases.
Esterline Dumezil has been employed as a community health worker at Cité Soleil since 2014.
When I find someone with diarrhea, no matter how severe, I refer them to one of two hospitals in the community that are equipped to accept patients with cholera; I know they will be well taken care of.
It is very important for me to count the suspected cases as well as to note the information that the locals share with me. I pass this information on to my supervisor at the Department of Health, which helps our epidemiologists better understand how people are affected by cholera around the country.
Help the most vulnerable
We remain on the ground, despite the difficulty of the current situation in the country. Community health workers are not idle, we are trained to help the most vulnerable. It is an obligation, and it is a source of pride for me to be involved in this endeavor.
Personally, I like to think that each person can contribute to improving lives in our community. That’s why I decided to become a community health worker, because I love helping people and being a part of change. It’s also a really important job that can save lives.
PAHO staff train community health workers on how to identify and prevent cholera.
Meeting people and helping them is what makes me happiest in this job. I love going to their homes and I feel comfortable being in the neighborhood, despite the insecurity caused by the gangs, because people know and trust me.
I have never regretted devoting my life to this work. I love going to see people at their homes and that’s when I’m happiest.”
United Nations cholera response for Haiti:
- A range of UN agencies including IOM, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and WFP as well as the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service, UNHAS are also supporting the UN cholera response.
- Public health workers, known by their French abbreviation ASCP, play a central role in the Ministry of Health’s PAHO/WHO-supported Public Health Strategy. With their extensive knowledge and ability to reach the communities they serve, they have been at the forefront of an integrated cholera response, especially in hard-to-reach areas like Cite Soleil. To date, 300 people have been trained and deployed on the ground to conduct risk communication and community engagement activities.
