Highlights
- Two medical staff members of MSF-B have lost their lives while saving the others on Sunday, 1st Feb. 2009 near the Charbagh area in district Swat.
- WHO sent two-truck load of medicines and supplies (for surgical interventions) to Saidu Teaching Hospital, Swat on 6th February 2009.
- Disease Early Warning System (DEWS) training was conducted by WHO in Peshawar for the Implementing Partners (IPs) of UNHCR working in NWFP for the medical coverage of Afghan Refugees. UNHCR is committed to share the DEWS data on weekly basis with WHO in order to detect, investigate and respond to alerts/outbreaks.
- Merlin was supporting the DHQ Hospital Mardan in running a DTC/ARI center for the IDPs till 31st January 2009. They are phased out due to shortage of funds, but still there is a need to continue the support to the DHQ Hospital.
- Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) has been taken on board for providing Mobile Health Services to the IDPs living with host families in district Peshawar with the support of WHO. The first mobile camp was established on 3rd February 2009 at Union Council Larama, Peshawar where there is a major cluster of IDPs are living with host families.
- Due to security reasons ICRC, PRCS, MSF-Belgium and UNFPA have stopped their services 1st week of Feb 09 in the IDPs camps in Lower Dir. However, ICRC/PRCS have resumed their services after 2-3 days, but MSF-B and UNFPA's services are still suspended. Relief International (UNICEF IP) is providing health services at IDP Camp Kungi. UNFPA's lady doctor is supporting DHQ Hospital Timergarah. WHO is fulfilling the medicines request of the partners through district health authorities.
- IMC is providing 24/7 comprehensive medical services at IDP camp Palosa, Charsadda and covering IDPs population living with host families through mobile clinic.
- The population of IDPs living with host families in district Mardan is increasing due to influx from district Swat. Also some small spontaneous camps of 30-40 families have been identified at Gulibagh and Par Hoti in Mardan. Merlin (WHO IP) is providing health services to the IDPs living with host families through 3 mobile teams.
- Polio campaign has completed in Kacha Gari camp, Peshawar during the last week and polio drops were administered to 3,082 children while only 18 children could not be vaccinated as they were not present in the camp.
Alerts and Response:
- The alerts of unexplained fever (197 cases) and Acute Jaundice Syndrome (18 cases) were reported from Mardan Medical Complex. The alerts were investigated and it was learnt that all these cases are sporadic and the number of cases were increased because that Mardan medical complex serves as a referral hospital not only for district Mardan but also for adjoining districts like Swabi, Malakand and Buner.
- One suspected case of AFP reported on 6th Feb, 2009 from Merlin's BHU in Kacha Ghari II IDPs camp, Peshawar. The case has been coordinated with PEI WHO surveillance officer. Stool sample has been taken and sent to NIH Islamabad for laboratory investigation.
- One case of suspected measles was reported from IDP camp Palosa, Charsadda. Investigation revealed that it was a case of scabies that was misdiagnosed.
Mapping of mumps and chickenpox cases at Jalozai IDP Camps, Nowshera has been completed. Total 17 cases of mumps have been verified.