By Jillian Farrel -- February 10, 2010
When the earthquake hit Haiti in January, authorities immediately decided to make all health care free. More than 200 medical groups have flown in medication and teams to help the disaster victims.
The United Nations told the Associated Press certain Haitian hospitals have begun charging patients for medicine. Hospitals don't even need to charge patients, because Haitian Health Ministry employees are getting paid with donated money.
UN officials said, any hospital found fathering fees for money will be cut off.
The rainy season, early Spring, is on the horizon, which will cause additional problems in Haiti. Workers are trying to move more victims into tents and outside of flood plains.
They are also trying to remove debris, so rain doesn't turn the survivors' sites into breeding grounds for disease.
An additional problem is how to properly remove human waste and garbage.
Many in the camps are already complaing of illnesses. Because of living outside and using water from buckets, Haitians are prone to malaria. The expected rains and limited sanitation could also lead to additional diseases, such as cholera, measles, and dengue fever.
Haiti's government has talked about moving victims to organized camps outside the capital, but so far nothing has been built.
"There will be health concerns," said engineer Mario Nicoleau of the U.S. Angency for International Development's office in Haiti. He said, "the risks will be enormous."
