At the National Penitentiary in Port-au-Prince, the largest prison in the country (nearly 2,000 inmates - estimation November 2010) the situation is alarming. During the last three days, thirty new cases were reported and seven inmates have died. The most recent survey reported 10 cases and 4 deaths. Prison overcrowding and lack of living space per inmate concerne.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) continues to support the prison administration in the management of this serious crisis. A team composed of delegates specialized in prison visits and doctors involved in the national prison. Contacts at the highest level have been taken to cooperate with the state and provide all the necessary resources to the Directorate of Prison Administration to fight against the epidemic.

For three weeks in the 11 detention centers in the country at risk, ICRC teams are implementing preventive measures such as cleaning and disinfection of cells and toilets, distribution of hygiene items and purification of drinking water. We also support the prison clinics in providing medicines and equipment and advising said an official.

The ICRC expresses its deep concern about the consequences of this epidemic on the population of inmates. One of his first actions at the very beginning of the crisis, was to establish a mobile clinic in collaboration with the authorities. Haitian doctors are moving from one prison to another to supervise the clinics and help to enforce daily hygiene directives.

See also:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1673-haiti-epidemic-cholera-makes-victims-in-the-prisons.html

S/ HaitiLibre