In response to the IDPs situation in NWFP, besides the support in Islamabad, Peshawar and at district levels for the cluster coordination, as an agency, WHO is carrying out the following major activities in the IDP camps and IDP host districts:
- Provision of medicines to the EDO Health and referral hospitals for the IDPs
- Provision of comprehensive primary healthcare services in the IDP camps through implementing partners
- Monitoring the disease situation through Disease Early Warning System (DEWS) and responding the alerts/outbreaks
- Health and hygiene promotion campaigns in the IDP camps
- Assisting district government in drugs management through implementing Logistics Support System (LSS)
- Regular testing and monitoring of the drinking water
- Regular provision of health related information, needs and gaps, as well as compilation and dissemination of information on health interventions implemented by the authorities and the health cluster partners.
Sheikh Yaseen IDP Camp Mardan
517 families; 3425 persons
Healthcare Providers: Pakistan Red Crescent Society/ICRC, Merlin and DoH
- Pakistan Red Crescent Society FATA Branch in collaboration with ICRC is providing PHC services in the camp with two medical teams during the morning shift.
- The Department of Health was providing 24/7 health services in a nearby BHU Sheikh Yousaf by deploying extra staff for the evening and night shifts.
- On the request of EDO Health, Merlin has setup their medical unit with 3 doctors in the IDP camp and is providing PHC and MCH services round the clock since November 3, 2008. During the morning shift, Merlin's team only provides MCH services, because PRCS team is already providing PHC services in the camp.
- However, in the evening and night Merlin is providing comprehensive PHC services. For this activity, Merlin has funds till end of Nov. 2008.
Ambulance in the camp: PRCS, DoH and EDHI
Health Education Teams: WHO, SSD, National LHW Program
DHQ Hospital Mardan: Merlin with the financial assistance of WHO-CERF is running a 20 bedded diarrhoea treatment center at DHQ Hospital Mardan. Their teams are also supporting the DHQ Hospital in treating the ARI patients. For this activity Merlin has funds till end of Dec. 2008.
Benazir IDP Camp Risalpur, Nowshera
399 families; 2613 persons
Healthcare Providers: Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and DoH PRCS is providing PHC services in the Benazir IDP Camp from 0800 hrs to 1700 hrs. Department of health has deployed one dispenser for night shift.
Ambulance in the camp: PRCS
Health Education Teams: WHO, PRCS, National LHW Program
For the support in medicines and activities of LHW and health education , WHO has funds till end of January
Palosa IDP Camp, Charsadda
475 families; 3342 persons
Healthcare Providers: Relief International, IMC and DoH
- Department of health has deployed healthcare providers during the morning and evening shifts in the IDP camp.
- International Medical Corps (IMC) with the financial assistance of WHO-CERF funding is providing comprehensive PHC services during the evening and night shifts. For this activity IMC has funds till end of Dec. 2008.
- Relief International is providing PHC services and psychosocial support to the IDPs during the morning shift.
Ambulance in the camp: DoH, IMC, Relief International
Health Education Teams: WHO, HRDS, MSF France and National LHW Program
For the provision of services and referral, WHO and partners have funds till end of December 2008.
Katcha Gari IDP Camp, Peshawar
1236 families; 7322persons
Healthcare Providers: IMC and FATA Directorate
- International Medical Corps (IMC) with the financial support of WHO-CERF is providing 24/7 comprehensive PHC services in the Katcha Gari IDP Camp. For this activity IMC has funds till end of Dec. 2008.
- FATA Directorate has deployed one mobile medical unit in the IDP camp that provides services during the morning shift.
Ambulance in the camp: IMC, FATA Directorate and EDHI Foundation
Health Education Teams: WHO, SSD and HRDS supported by UNICEF and National LHW Program
Summary
For new camps, to be set up, funds available with WHO can be used till end of February 2009.
For Swat, Dir and other areas which are difficult to access for the UN, there are discussions and plans with several health cluster NGO partners both national and international to provide services and support DEWS information collection as well as support the existing facilities and district system. Funding for these interventions is not available.
For any new influx of IDP, that exceeds 10,000 persons and necessitate new camps or expansion of existing ones, there are no funds available for health coverage. The most important funding gaps exist for the contingency aspects of the Humanitarian Response plan as well as for the continuation of current activities especially health service delivery to IDPs in camps and in hosting communities as well as the support for the drained and financially starved district health systems beyond 2008.