WHO reported some progress to jump start Iraq's health system
Iraq-UN, Health, 6/7/2003

On the humanitarian front, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) reported some progress in its efforts to jump start Iraq's health system, including the recent completion of a training course in Basra, the country's second city, focused on gathering reliable information about infectious disease symptoms and outbreaks.

WHO has been working with officials and doctors in the health authority to revive the surveillance system, in individual cities, governorates and ultimately across the country, according to a news release in Geneva.

The agency has also helped to provide computers and money to rebuild the infrastructure at the state medicine supply and distribution company, Kimadia, which was badly damaged by looting, with warehouses, offices, computers, doors and windows as well as medicines either stolen or broken.

Recruiting and training of security guards for hospitals, warehouses and other facilities has also begun, WHO reported. There have been huge problems with security in health facilities since the end of the conflict and guards are urgently needed. Initially, 104 people will be trained, the first batch of a security team that will eventually number 3,000 and provide security for key hospitals and medical warehouses throughout the country.

Previous Stories:
  UN opens new food corridor into Iraq but dirty water threatens 'potential calamity'   (4/30/2003)
  Iraq accuses UN sanctions committee of obstructing medication contracts for chronic diseases   (3/21/2000)
  Head of the childhood fund affiliated to UN starts visit to Iraq   (10/13/1999)

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