ORPs are outpatient health facilities that only function during the day. They are usually designed to treat simple cases only (on oral treatment) and to refer severe cases to CTCs or CTUs.
6.3.1 Choice of site and premises
Depending on the context, ORPs can be set up within a health facility or an adjacent site or in any strategic place that can be easily reached by the affected population (e.g. beside a rail track or main road).
An empty building, tent or temporary shelter can be used. In the absence of, or while waiting for, a facility, an ORP can be set up under a tree or parasol, if circumstances require and climate allows.
The characteristics of the site (ground, etc.) are the same as those required for the other treatment facilities (Section 6.1.1).
6.3.2 Area required
An ORP is generally a small facility with space to treat patients and one or several latrines.
For example, the space required per patient is usually 2 m², but in practice the space occupied by a patient varies depending on age (child or adult) and clinical status (patient seated or lying down).
6.3.3 Layout and equipment
See Appendix 12.
6.3.4 Setting up an ORP
An ORP can receive patients within a few hours once a site has been identified and the materials collected. The construction of a latrine can take longer (one day or more).
If the ORP is set up within a health facility, it should preferably be isolated (barrier netting or plant fencing) to restrict access to cholera patients only and avoid them entering other services. If the ORP is in a building standing apart in the village and people know only cholera cases are treated there, this precaution is usually unnecessary.
Put up a sign indicating opening hours. Label all containers (ORS, potable water, 0.05% chlorine solution for hand-washing) as in the other facilities.