|
New Delhi 23 May
2008 - With monsoon rains increasing health risks to cyclone Nargis survivors, the World
Health Organization has rushed more supplies to Myanmar to prevent disease
outbreaks. Displacement of population, overcrowding in temporary shelters and
lack of safe water will increase the risk of communicable diseases. WHO is
also urging psychosocial support for cyclone survivors.
“WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and
health cluster partners is working to set up a disease outbreak surveillance
system where information on potential outbreaks will be collected by not only
health workers, but also members of affected communities” said Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia. Diarrhoeal
diseases, malaria and dengue fever are diseases endemic to Myanmar and
are among those being monitored.
WHO international experts for emergency health
management, early warning and alert systems for disease surveillance and
logistics are in Myanmar.
WHO has provided medical supplies including 3 million tablets of various
antibiotics, 12 800 kg bleaching powder and 36 000 water purification
tablets, 20 000 insecticides treated bednets,
insecticides and oral rehydration
salts. Twenty Inter-agency Emergency Health Kits have been sent to Myanmar,
containing medicines for common diseases and medical devices for primary
health care workers. Each kit provides essential medicines and supplies to treat
10 000 people for three months.
"We have dispatched emergency medical supplies to
treat 600 000 survivors of the cyclone and more is on its way," said Dr.
Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Deputy
Regional Director for South-East Asia, who is also heading the Myanmar
emergency operations. "Reducing the risk of communicable disease
outbreaks is our biggest concern. Effective use of the early warning systems
needs to be strengthened to contain potential outbreaks.”
About 50% of health centers in affected areas were
damaged or destroyed by cyclone Nargis.
WHO has provided financial and operational support to 350 rapid response
teams and medical teams of the Ministry of Health, Myanmar.
Based on WHO’s
experience with disasters, 30-50% of the cyclone affected population could
suffer psychological distress. There is a need to provide psychological and
social support to the affected population through trained health workers.
Since the 2004 tsunami, WHO has been sensitizing health workers in Member
countries, including Myanmar,
to help communities deal with the psychosocial impact of disasters.
For
further information, go to: http://www.searo.who.int
Press
contacts:
Ms Vismita Gupta-Smith, Public Information and
Advocacy officer, WHO South-East Asia Region (New Delhi), Tel: +91-11-23309401, e-mail: guptasmithv@searo.who.int;
Mr Chadin Tephaval, communications officer WHO Bangkok, Tel: +66-81-5901524 email: chadin@searo.who.int ; Mr Paul
Garwood, communications officer WHO Health Action in Crises (Geneva),
temporary cell phone +41-794755546
|
