Earthquake in Haiti - Access to Healthcare

In making a desperate appeal for medical supplies and assistance, Haitian President Rene Preval said some hospitals have collapsed as a result of the quake, further handicapping a public healthcare system poorly equipped to handle a disaster of this proportion. At the time of the survey, Haitians were far less likely than any other population in the region to report having widespread access to health services. Fewer than one in four (22%) said they were satisfied with the availability of quality healthcare in their communities, and one in nine (11%) said healthcare is accessible to anyone in the country.

Furthermore, health officials warn that dealing with the injuries caused by the quake itself will be only the beginning of Haiti's public health crisis. Poor sanitation and lack of access to clean water are likely to make cholera and other waterborne diseases a major problem. Water quality was already a problem for many Haitians; 37% said in December 2008 that they were satisfied with the quality of water in their communities, vs. 66% of Dominicans in 2009, and a regional median of 67%.

Source: http://www.gallup.com/poll/125075/Survey-Highlights-Haitians-Vulnerability.aspx