What are the most pressing health challenges?
Immediately following the quake, trauma injuries were the most urgent medical concern, but the focus now is on follow-up of patients who have had surgery as well as basic primary healthcare services, including services for maternal-child health and chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease, HIV, and tuberculosis, among others. TB is a particular concern, as care has been interrupted for many of the 3,000 patients who were on treatment before the quake. Cases of acute respiratory infections, acute diarrheal disease and tetanus have been reported without any epidemic characteristics up to now. The rainy season will increase the risk for childhood diseases such as acute respiratory infections and diarrhea as well as the risk for vector-borne diseases including malaria. There have been reported suspected cases of measles, but laboratory tests so far have been negative for measles. Rehabilitation, including physical therapy, for amputees and other injured survivors will be critical
