Medical aid still “absolutely necessary” in Haiti, says top WHO official

International assistance—especially medical doctors—is still absolutely necessary in Haiti to help deliver essential services to the devastated population, says the World Health Organization.

“Our concern is to ask the biggest partners to leave aid there at least six months, or as long as possible, especially the large NGOs [non-governmental organisations],” Henriette Chamouillet, the WHO’s representative in Haiti, told reporters.

Dr Chamouillet said this was “absolutely necessary” because hospitals had been damaged and the population had also been dispersed and help needs to go to the provinces.

She told the BMJ that the medical aid groups need to stay: “We want them to be self sufficient, accept some coordination, and work with the ministry of health of Haiti as a partner.”

Meanwhile, on 18 …