Health situation in in OPT, WHO action – WHO press release (excerpts)

Health action in crises

Highlights No 149 – 12 to 18 March 2007

Each week, the World Health Organization Department for Health Action in Crises in Geneva produces information highlights on the health aspects of selected humanitarian crises. Drawing on the various WHO programmes, contributions cover activities from field and country offices and the support provided by WHO regional offices and Headquarters. The mandate of the WHO Departments specifically concerned with Emergency and Humanitarian Action in Crises is to increase the effectiveness of the WHO contribution to crisis preparedness and response, transition and recovery. This note, which is not exhaustive, is designed for internal use and does not reflect any official position of the WHO Secretariat. 

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OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

Assessments and events:

• WHO continue monitoring the health impact of the strike. Investigations and field visits to Beit Jala and Hebron Public Hospitals showed that vaccination coverage is now reduced to one day every two weeks and that chronic patients can access services for proper medical follow-up only once every two weeks.

Actions:

• During the meeting of the ECHO-organized Friday Group, WHO updated on the strike, the health situation in Nablus and on the patterns of risk for nosocomial infection in the Israeli hospitals.

• WHO conducted a workshop for 25 MoH nurses in Gaza on anthropometric measurements and nutrition indicators.

• With support from EMRO and headquarters, a workshop is being prepared in Amman for improving the coordination of mental health and psychosocial activities in the oPt.

• In 2006, WHO’s emergency activities were funded by the Organization’s Regular Budget and contributions from ECHO, Finland, Japan and Norway as well as the CERF.

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