WHO Information Briefing-Islamabad

November 23, 2001

WHO is preparing to send emergency health supplies to Spin Boldak. This follows an initial assessment at three camps in Spin Boldak that revealed inadequate medicines to treat the displaced population.

The main health concerns in the camps are acute respiratory diseases, diarrhoea- which is especially dangerous for children-, tuberculosis and malnutrition. Basic sanitation is lacking, posing a serious health threat. There are inadequate water supplies. In addition, the dust, wind and cold will also have a dire impact on the health of the displaced population.

In other news, there have been two new cases of polio in Afghanistan. These cases are especially alarming because they are the first cases outside the southern region of Afghanistan. Nine polio cases were found earlier this year- all in the southern region. The first new case is in Paktia and concerns a nine-month old girl. The second case involves an 11 month old girl in Nangrahar province. We know the onset of the disease was 20^th of October, but further investigation has been delayed due to insecurity. The case in Nangrahar province is especially worrisome because it is what is known as P3 polio, which WHO believed was eradicated in Afghanistan. The last reported case was in October of 2000. WHO is investigating whether these polio cases may be due to displacement of the population.

We have just received reports from additional deaths due to the outbreak of falciparum malaria in Laghman province in October. The report is from Mehterlam hospital which out of the 24 deaths, 20 of the cases were children. It appears they arrived too late at the hospital to receive treatment. The season of transmission of malaria is over but some cases from early in the season will have a relapse because there were adequate drugs supplies in place to treat falciparum malaria at that time.

The World Health Organisation Representative for Pakistan, Dr. Kahlif Bile, has met with the Governor of Baluchistan, during a three day visit to the Chaman district. Dr. Bile is calling on Pakistani health authorities to ensure adequate medical services for Afghan refugees in Baluchistan and Northwest Frontier Province. WHO has pledged to support local health facilities to cope with new patients. In particular, WHO will be providing essential drugs to Pakistani hospitals and clinics to treat Afghan refugees as well as the local population.

Finally, WHO would like to draw your attention to the staggering health crisis facing Afghan women. Health care for women in Afghanistan is either rudimentary or non-existent in most parts of the country. Every day, 45 women die of pregnancy related causes. This is the second highest rate in the world. More than 90% of deliveries take place at home, most are simply supported by unskilled birth attendants. The future for the health of Afghan women risks being no brighter than its dark past, unless urgent measures are taken. WHO will make sure that in the reconstruction of the health system, women’s health will be prioritised. Education, and training of female workers are key. Programmes will focus on reproductive health care, and communicable diseases which particularly threaten women, such as tuberculosis. For more information on Afghan women and health, please find a special report issued today by the World Health Organisation.