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FW: WHO



Title: FW: WHO
I hope this is not a duplication - best, f.


Subj:   [iac-disc.] excerpts from WHO Health Situation Report for Iraq  
Date:   1/3/2002 8:33:12 AM Pacific Standard Time   
From:   rania@nc.rr.com <mailto:rania@nc.rr.com>  
To: iac-discussion@yahoogroups.com <mailto:iac-discussion@yahoogroups.com>   
Sent from the Internet (Details)    



from "Health Situation in Iraq - WHO Roles and Responsibilities" compiled by the WHO Representative's Office, Baghdad (Iraq), October 2001

---

"By 1990, the Government of Iraq had established a comprehensive health series infrastructure based on wide access to Primary Health Care, with adequate support by secondary and tertiary care, with well-trained and skilled staff. The Iraqi population enjoyed the benefits of one of the better health care systems in the entire region. All health indicators reflected a high status of health of Iraqi population."

- p. 6, Health Situation in Iraq - Who Roles and Responsibilities; Oct 2001



In 1990, there were 32.003 (thousand) reported cases of pneumonia among children under the age of 5 in Iraq. In 2000, there were 152.932 (thousand) reported cases of pneumonia.

- p. 9, Health Situation in Iraq - Who Roles and Responsibilities; Oct 2001



In 1987, there were 4,753 reported cases of tuberculosis in Iraq. In 1999, there were 29,897 reported cases of tuberculosis in Iraq.

- p. 11, Health Situation in Iraq - Who Roles and Responsibilities; Oct 2001



In Iraq, the rate of deaths due to heart disease has increased by 942% from 1989 to 2000; a 724% increase in the death rate due to diabetes, and a 577% increase in the death rate due to malignancies (cancers). *

- p. 13, Health Situation in Iraq - Who Roles and Responsibilities; Oct 2001

*note: the WHO source for this data is the Iraqi Ministry of Health



In 1989, there were 15,125 reported major surgical operations throughout hospitals in Iraq. In 2000, there were 5,004 reported major surgical operations [reflecting the deterioration of the health sector over the last 11 years].

- p. 14, Health Situation in Iraq - Who Roles and Responsibilities; Oct 2001



Laboratory investigations in Iraq [within the health sector] declined by two-thirds [reflecting the deterioration of the health sector] between 1989 and 2000.

p. 16, Health Situation in Iraq - Who Roles and Responsibilities; Oct 2001



"Assessment of Food & Nutrition Situation in Iraq

FAO/WFP/WHO (May-June 2000)

* 800,000 children under 5 are chronically malnourished.

* High prevalence of anaemia in school children.

* Rickets (Vitamin D deficiency) is still being reported.

* Diarrhoea contributing to malnutrition is high.

* Wasting (low weight for height) in under 5 is over 10%."

- p. 18, Health Situation in Iraq - Who Roles and Responsibilities; Oct 2001



>From the beginning of the Oil-for-Food program in 1997 through 10 September 2001, the WHO has conducted 22,945 official observations of the GOI's implementation of the program.

- p. 24, Health Situation in Iraq - Who Roles and Responsibilities; Oct 2001



"WHO Observers

* WHO presently has 12 health specialists. One Nutritionist is under recruitment.

* They consist of Pharmacists and Biomedical Engineers, with decades of experience, some with previous international experience in humanitarian work.

* About 70% of WHO Observers also have postgraduate qualifications including doctorate degrees."

- p. 25, Health Situation in Iraq - Who Roles and Responsibilities; Oct 2001



Stock Report as of 30 September, 2001

[as a percentage, out of the total number of medical stocks arrived to date:]

80.02% have been distributed to end-users

0.83% are stocks awaiting distribution (working stock)

7.16% are currently undergoing quality control tests

1.07% have failed quality control tests

0.52% cannot be distributed due to a lack of complementary items, a lack of spares or installation capacity

10.39% are being held in reserve as buffer stock for use in the case of an emergency [this compares to an international norm of 20-25% buffer stock reserves]

- p. 26, Health Situation in Iraq - Who Roles and Responsibilities; Oct 2001



Within the Health Sector, as of 30 September 2001, 172 contracts valued at US $350,564,146 remain on hold. Including:

"* Drugs such as Neostigmine inj., Astropine inj.

* Laboratory equipment (e.g. Spectrophotometers); Laboratory reagents and Diagnostics Kits.

* Blood bank refrigerators.

* SDI machinery and spare parts.

* Computer equipment/Accessories"

- p. 27, Health Situation in Iraq - Who Roles and Responsibilities; Oct 2001



"Impact of Holds (as of 30 September 2001):

* Reduced diagnostic and treatment capacity in the health facilities.

* Reduced local drug production in the SDI plant with the consequential shortages in the health facilities.

* General poor functioning state in the health facilities"

- p. 28, Health Situation in Iraq - Who Roles and Responsibilities; Oct 2001



To date Distribution/Implementation of the Oil-for-Food programme by the WHO in the Northern Autonomous Zone:

81.3% within Medicines and Supplies distributed

78.9% within Health Repairs, Nursing & Epidemiological Surveillance distributed

100% within Water Quality Control distributed

98.8% within Higher Education distributed

- p. 39, Health Situation in Iraq - Who Roles and Responsibilities; Oct 2001



  





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