Health situation in OPT – WHO press release (excerpts)

Health action in crises

Highlights No 165 – 8 to 15 July 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. 

/…

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

Assessments and events:

• Precarious food and supplies, and concerns over drinking water persist. • Hospital in Gaza report no disruption of services but shortages of medical supplies continue.

• At least 6000 Palestinians are stranded in Al Arish and Sheik Zouied, at the Egyptian/Gaza Border, while many others are believed to be in Cairo.

Actions:

• The Pharmaceuticals Supply and Management system is almost fully functional. Eight shipments of drugs from the Priority list have been delivered – including packs of anti-cancer drugs.

• A shipment of consumables was sent to Gaza; it was received by WHO and the MoH and is now stored at the CDS.

• In the West Bank, 50 pharmacists and assistant pharmacists from various backgrounds and laboratory technicians were trained in drug procurement and supply management.

• WHO and the MoH are exploring plans for the improvement of the Bethlehem Psychiatric Hospital; WHO will assess the Hospital’s capacity and availability of services and submit the results to the MoH by the end of July.

• WHO, UNIFEM, UNICEF and FAO are finalizing a joint proposal, the “Jordan Valley Initiative”. WHO is responsible for the heath segment of the proposal, which also covers agriculture and livestock, women’s empowerment and social mobilization, water and sanitation and education.

• WHO’s emergency activities are funded by ECHO, Italy, Norway and Spain.

/…