Canadian Red Cross deploys field hospital to support cholera response in Chad
(Ottawa, September 12, 2011) Today, the Canadian Red Cross is deploying its basic health care unit to treat people who have been affected by cholera in Chad. This unit is part of the First Responder Initiative, a partnership with the Government of Canada.
“The people in Chad are facing a serious health crisis,” says Karine Farrell, manager of disaster preparedness and response with the Canadian Red Cross. “Thanks to the Government of Canada, we not only have the equipment but a team of trained health professionals we can mobilize rapidly to support this operation.”
Over half of the districts in Chad are now affected and for the first time this year cholera cases are spreading not only across the nation, but into neighbouring Niger, Nigeria and Cameroon. According to the Ministry of Health, more than 12,700 people have been affected and over 360 deaths have been recorded.
“This field hospital has the capacity to treat up to 300 patients a day,” adds Farrell. “It will make a significant contribution to the fight against this cholera outbreak.”
The First Responder Initiative includes two health emergency response units: a rapid deployment field hospital and a basic health care unit. Both are modular and can be deployed with specific equipment and personnel to best meet the needs of the health crisis. The cholera treatment centre being deployed is in partnership with the French Red Cross and will provide life-saving medical assistance, psychosocial support and personnel to assist in educating communities about epidemics.
The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and over 185 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Canadian Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.
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For more information or to arrange an interview:
Canadian Red Cross media line 613-740-1994
