WHO concerned about increased number of suspected cholera cases in Somalia
3 February 2012 -- Cholera is endemic in Somalia, with sporadic cases and occasional outbreaks occurring in a number of areas all year round. 74% of the reported cases were children under the age of two which does not meet the case definition of suspected cholera.Suspected measles cases continue to be reported from Somalia, with poor access to vulnerable populations still a challenge in many areas.
Access to essential health services through mobile clinics in Somalia
To provide access to essential health services to the thousands of Somalis in need, especially women, children and internally displaced people, various health partners run mobile clinics with the support of WHO. Mobile clinics are used as a last resort with the aim of providing health services to population groups which have no access to a health-care facility. They have been considered as a short term intervention strategy, pending the reopening of fixed health facilities or access to such facilities. About two thirds of all patients seen by a mobile clinic team are children under the age of five. One of them is Mustafa.
Scaling up of health services in Baidoa
From 3-5 March 2012, a WHO-led mission visited Baidoa town, Bay region. After the recent liberation of the area, the Baidoa hospital re-opened and was able to scale up the provision of health services. During the visit, WHO installed an operating theatre in the hospital and provided medical equipment and supplies for direct service delivery for the treatment of injured patients. WHO will organize trainings for doctors and nurses on emergency surgical procedures and comprehensive emergency obstetric care.
WHO pre-positions medical supplies to respond to cholera cases in Somalia
The Health and Water and Sanitation clusters are disseminating ‘Stamp out cholera! campaign’ radio messages to the areas most affected by cholera. This activity will continue over the next four months. WHO has pre-positioned medical supplies at health facilities to respond to cholera cases. Measles cases are still being reported in most regions of South Central Somalia. Medical intervention is still challenging as access is limited and most implementing partners have been banned from the area.
