WHO steps up medical preparations in response to west Mosul operations

Baghdad, Iraq, 28 February 2017 – As military operations in west Mosul, Iraq, begin, the World Health Organization (WHO) is scaling up its response in support of the Ministry of Health to meet the urgent health needs of 750 000 west Mosul residents who are expected to require trauma care and basic health services. Additional trauma stabilization points, field hospitals, and primary health care centres are being established. Medicines and medical supplies have been propositioned in Erbil, Duhok and Ninewa governorates. Additional ambulances and mobile medical clinics are on route to frontline areas to support services by local health authorities in camps and newly accessible areas. "We are continuing to unite efforts with national health authorities and partners to make sure that we can quickly and effectively respond to health needs and prevent unnecessary loss of life," said Altaf Musani, WHO Representative for Iraq. “Trauma care services are our top priority and coordination is ongoing with Erbil and Ninewa health authorities to streamline referral pathways and scale up ambulatory services.” Following the establishing of the first field hospital in Bartella area of Mosul in January 2017 with support from WHO, construction of 2 additional field hospitals in Athba and Hamam Alil is ongoing and due to be completed in early March. Additionally, and in line with the Organization’s 2-level strategy of trauma care and basic health services in internally displaced person...
Source: WHO EMRO News - Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news