More and more people in Zimbabwe have contracted cholera. Thus far, more than 15,000 people are affected. action medeor receives calls for assistance from every region in Zimbabwe. The local project partners no longer can meet the demand of the many people that are affected because everywhere they lack essential medicines. Within two days’ time, action medeor put together 1,051 packages weighing 15,601 kilograms in total – they were shipped to Harare, Zimbabwe by air freight on December 11th, 2008. Primarily, the packages contained medicines to treat cholera such as antibiotics, sugar-salt solutions, infusion solutions and water disinfection tablets.
However, there is still a great need for medicines. Sister Christel from Troutbeck, Zimbabwe writes, “Many patients are dying right before our eyes. It is difficult to see these things happen and to cope with them. We are working nonstop, but without the medicines we need, we won’t be able to contain this.” If patients are not treated promptly, they risk dying within 24 hours.
Oral rehydration salts and antibiotics, at a value of € 2, are enough to cure [one person] in the initial phases of the illness. If the infection is advanced, infusion solutions and antibiotics, at a value of € 10, are needed for one sick person.
(Translation by betterplace)
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