DR. CHARLES MOSHER CONTRIBUTED BY MARILYN SAUNDERS

With all the crises in the international news it is difficult to remember Haiti and the devastating earthquake last January. Last week, Charles Mosher, MD, MPH, Health Officer for Mariposa County, shared photos and information from his recent experience in Haiti. Dr. Mosher participated in a number of clinics throughout the country.

These particular clinics saw 1,098 patients in about a week. Asked about health issues in Haiti, Dr. Mosher responded that malaria ranks number one. In fact, there are four types of malaria in the world, and the most severe type is present in the country. There are mosquitoes due to plenty of standing water, as rice is an important crop. Interestingly, local farmers are not always able to sell their rice because it is more expensive than the subsidized U.S. rice exported to Haiti.

Not only malaria, but also intestinal parasites are prevalent. Haiti is an impoverished country and poor sanitation contributes heavily to this parasite that enters the body through skin. Children go barefoot and swim in irrigation ditches that are used for multiple other purposes including household water supply.

Why is Haiti so impoverished? A contributing factor is discovered in the country's history. For years France used the island nation to produce sugar and coffee. Slaves who provided the labor finally managed a successful revolt. France demanded reparations for the loss of their slaves. This meant that Haiti borrowed heavily to pay the debt. More recently irresponsible ruling governments are credited with the continuing debt. A good portion of current debt was cancelled prior to the earthquake and new demands to further write off the debt have been made subsequent to the quake.

Dr. Mosher suggests anyone who would like to support Haiti check out Partners in Health at http://www.pih.org/.