Health situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip – WHO Health Action in Crises (WHO/HAC Highlights) – WHO press release (excerpts)

Health action in crises

Highlights No 142 – 22 to 28 Jan 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: 

The strike in the West Bank has been suspended since 13 December and all hospitals have returned to their normal level of service provision.

Drug availability continues to be a problem in the majority of hospitals in the West Bank while equipment conditions continue to worsen. Shortage of fuel for transportation is again reported as a problem affecting communication between districts.

Actions: 

WHO carries on monitoring access to and performance of hospitals. Drugs continue to be out of stock: items at zero level were 70 and 82 in Gaza and West Bank respectively.

The WHO Office for the West Bank and Gaza, EMRO, and HQ met in Cairo to consolidate the workplan and improve coordination in the framework of the ECHO-funded Pharma-ceuticals Supply and Management project.

The MoH, with the support of WHO, organized the first National Mental Health Committee to refresh the Mental Health Operational Plan.

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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