• Submitted by: manso
• international
• 10 / 26 / 2010

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10/26/2010. Health ministers from the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) will hold a videoconference from Quito on Monday, coordinated by Ecuadorian Health Minister and UNASUR president David Chiriboga.

The objective of the meeting is to plan emergency aid for Haiti, which is facing a major health crisis provoked by a cholera epidemic which has killed 253 people, with more than 3,000 hospitalized as suspected cases.

The ministers of the 12 countries have confirmed their participation in the videoconference, which begins at 15:00 hours local time. At the end of the meeting, a resolution on the UNASUR strategy for aid to Haiti will be issued.

Chiriboga told reporters that Ecuador is sending potable water, saline solution, antibiotics, IV fluids, chlorine to disinfect water sources and personal items, soup, alcohol, and disinfectant gel.

It also aims to send gloves for handling patients and specific medicines for treating the disease, while health units in this country have been advised on the status of epidemiological alert.

The Ministry of Public Health in Ecuador alerted the people to observe preventive measures like washing hands frequently and consuming safe water and food to protect the region from the spread of the disease.

An informational card is being handed out at ports and airports to travelers who began their journey in a Caribbean country, advising them that in case of diarrhea, to get in contact with health authorities or migration authorities at the airport.

Source PL