Health action in crises/OPT – WHO information highlights 20-26 July 2009 (excerpts)

Health Action in Crises

Highlights No 265 –  20-26 July 2009

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

• The Referral Abroad Department approved 611 referral documents between 1 and 15 July, distributed as follows: 226 to Gaza NGOs medical facilities, 57 to the West Bank, 106 to East Jerusalem, 133 to Egypt, 14 to Jordan and 75 to Israeli hospitals. The number of referrals to Israeli hospitals has increased by 49.4% as compared to June.

• During the reported period, the District Liaison Office for Erez Crossing processed 376 applications. Patients in need for cardiac, oncology and ophthalmic treatment accounted for 55.3% out of the total referred patients.

Actions

• WHO in collaboration with the MoH conducted a field visit to Bethlehem to collect data on the type of health services and human resources from involved NGOs as part of the health facilities database up-date.

• WHO participated in the mental health thematic group meeting. During the meeting, the MoH gave a presentation on the achievements, obstacles, constraints and future plans of WHO’s mental health unit.

• WHO hosted a meeting with representatives from the Israeli MoH, and the coordinator of the East Jerusalem Hospitals network as representative for the Palestinian MoH. The objective of the meeting was to address new access restrictions on staff, patients, equipment and drugs from the West Bank reaching to East Jerusalem Hospitals.

• WHO’s activities are funded by OCHA, Italy, Norway and Australia. Spain and Switzerland have contributed to the CAP.

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