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New Delhi 04
June 2008 - A system to detect and report potential disease outbreaks
early in Myanmar’s
cyclone-affected areas has been put into action by the World Health Organization
and health cluster partners. The Early Warning Reporting System (EWARS) has
been established to support the Myanmar, Ministry of Health to
provide quick and accurate information on diseases. It does this by
collecting information from health sector partners, verifying rumors of
outbreaks as well as through formal reporting methods. Verifying such
information at an early stage allows prompt containment of diseases and
prevents outbreaks.
“We are working with the Government of Myanmar to further
strengthen the existing health system including disease surveillance.
WHO is advocating a community-based approach and the use of appropriate
technologies to help the survivors,” said Dr Samlee Plianbangchang,
WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia.
EWARS is particularly significant as water-borne and
vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue could pose a health
challenge during the monsoons. The intrusion of salty water inland makes
ideal breeding sites for Anopheles Sundaicus,
the malaria vectors in the coastal areas, and early rains favors breeding of
other malaria vectors. Displaced populations without the support of normal
health services are more susceptible to such diseases.
“We are training international and national medical teams
on malaria and dengue control. Insecticide- treated bednets, malaria drugs for 120 000 cases, fogging
machines, 2000 liters of insecticides and 5 tonnes of larvicides
have been supplied by WHO and health partners” said Dr Poonam Singh, Deputy Regional Director for WHO’s
South-East Asia on her return from Myanmar. “Access to clean water
and sanitation is key to improving the health situation on the ground,” she
added
WHO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has
conducted briefings and induction for medical teams from ASEAN countries that
have already arrived in Myanmar. Medical teams from more than
several countries are expected to arrive in Myanmar in the next 3-6 months.
WHO and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies are conducting training of volunteers deployed in the
affected areas. Over 350 participants have been trained for malaria and
dengue prevention and control. WHO is working with Ministry of health, Myanmar
to strengthen Rapid Response Team capacities at the township level. The capacity of the
Central Laboratory in Yangon is being
strengthened. Kits for specimen collection have been ordered and will be
distributed in each township.
WHO is working in collaboration with the Ministry of
Health to train all doctors (national and from INGOs) in delivery of basic mental health
services. Standards set by WHO for mental health and psychosocial support in
disasters are being used to train master trainers who will in turn train
community workers.
WHO and Health Cluster partners have supplied more than
650 tones of medical supplies to the cyclone affected people so far.
For further information, go to: http://www.searo.who.int
New Delhi:
Ms Vismita Gupta-Smith, Public Information and Advocacy officer, WHO South-East Asia Region Tel: +91-11-23309401, e-mail: guptasmithv@searo.who.int;
Bangkok:
Mr Chadin Tephaval, Communications Officer WHO Thailand, Tel: +62-2-5807535 email: chadin@searo.who.int;
Geneva: Mr Paul Garwood,
Communications Officer WHO Health Action in Crises (Geneva), cell phone +41-794755546 garwoodp@who.int
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