WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR AFRICA
L’AFRIQUE
BUREAU REGIONAL DE
OFFICE OF THE WHO REPRESENTATIVE FOR LIBERIA
WHO SITUATION REPORT
20 FEBRUARY - 15 MARCH 2002
SITREP #2
I.
Socioeconomic and Political Events with Health Implication
1.
President Taylor Frees Political Prisoners: Twenty-one political prisoners were the
beneficiaries of executive clemency granted on 12 March 2002 by the Liberian
President. The President’s action was a response to petitions from many civic
organizations, groups, and individuals. The most recent petition came from the steering
committee of the National Reconciliation Conference.
The released prisoners had been arrested, charged and some convicted of treason in
connection with fighting between the Liberian Government and loyalists of the former
faction leader, Mr. Roosevelt Johnson, in September 1998. The released persons
included military officers and former Government officials of the late President Doe’s
Era..
The action of the President is seen as a major enhancement of peace and reconciliation
in Liberia. Peace is a pre-requisite for health development.
1.
Liberia remains in phase 4 of the UN Security Plan. The reclassification of the
security status of Liberia was done on 13 February, owing to the worsening state of
insecurity in the face of arm conflicts between the Government of Liberia and LURD
rebels. This situation limits the implementation of programs to Monrovia.
1.
Sporadic shooting continues in and around Monrovia. On Thursday, 13 March 2002,
heavy shooting was heard in the vicinity of the United Nations Offices in Virginia.
II.
WHO Collaborative Activities
A.
National Health System (OSD)
1.
WHO is supporting the situational analysis of the Liberian Health Sector currently
being conducted. The findings of the situational analysis will form the basis for a fiveyear Health Sector Plan for Liberia. The situational analysis is part of health sector
reform which the Government and its partners embarked upon since 1997. In 2001, the
National Health Policy, a major component of the reform, was adopted.
1.
A review of the curricula of health manpower training institutions is in progress. The
process entails the review of the currently existing 16 programs of 6 institutions and
covers all cadres of health workers.
1.
The scholarship committee of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has adopted
a policy of awarding fellowships to candidates to pursue their studies locally where
possible. Recently, 15 WHO fellowships were awarded to 10 recipients of basic Nursing
at TNIMA, 2 for basic Nursing at the Cuttington University College and 3 biology majors
at the Cuttington University College. The Biology majors have an interest in studying
medicine. The localization of scholarships provides a short-term solution to the shortage
of professional health personnel.
1.
In continuation of its program in national capacity building in health, WHO recently
placed 3 health workers in African training institutions to pursue graduate studies as
follows: Two (2) Masters in Nursing in South Africa, One (1) Masters in Pediatrics in
Makerere University in Uganda.
1.
WHO has been involved in the development of the United Nations Development
Assistance Framework (UNDAF) by the UN Country Team in Liberia. The health
component emphasizes support for the Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS among
other health problems.
B.
Nutrition
WHO has made financial contribution to the development of a National Plan of Action
for Nutrition (NPAN) for Liberia. Other contributors to the exercise include relevant
sectoral ministries of government, NGOs and other UN agencies. The draft of the NPAN
has been completed. The document will be sent to NUT/AFRO for comments before
finalization.
B.
Humanitarian Assistance
1.
On 5 March, the UN System in Liberia made a presentation of essential drugs and
medical supplies to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for internally displaced
persons, especially those recently distressed by the February attack on Bomi County.
The drugs and medical supplies came from the resources of the UN Dispensary. The
items were presented to the Government by Dr. Castro Camarada, the FAO Resident
Representative, in his capacity as the UN Resident Coordinator at the time. The
donation is estimated at five thousand United States dollars. It was donated through
WHO and received on behalf of Government by Dr. Nathaniel Bartee, Deputy Minister
of Health and Chief Medical Officer.
1.
The dispersion of internally displaced persons out of recognized displaced centers
poses an impediment to the coordination of humanitarian assistance by NGOs. The
February 2002 dissident attack in Tubmanburg, Bomi County has generated as
estimated10,000 IDPs. Those who settled in sites previously occupied by Sierra
Leonean refugees (Sinje & VOA) are fortunate to have dwelling, potable water and
health post that caters to their first aid needs.
D.
Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Response
1. Weekly active surveillance of 8 priority diseases resulted in the following monthly
results: AFP (0), Neonatal Tetanus (0), Measles (9), Cholera (11), Bloody Diarrhea (30),
Meningitis (0), Lassa Fever (0). There was one suspected case of yellow fever.
2.
Supervision of the Montserrado County Surveillance System has identified the need
to train surveillance focal points in centers for internally displaced persons in and
around Monrovia.
III.
Staff Movement
A.
WHO Office
P.O. Box 0316, 1000 MONROVIA, 10, LIBERIA , TEL: (231)227-378, FAX: (231) 226-208, SAT: +871 762 545 625 VSAT: +31 594 55 21 22 EXTN. 5502
Email: wco.wholr@undp.org
2
1. Dr. André Ndikuyeze
WR/Liberia
22 February to 08 March: To attend RPM29 in
Brazzaville.
2.
Mr. Kamau Thuo
AO/Liberia
09 - 17 March: Rest and Relaxation Break to the
United Kingdom.
2.
Dr. Alex Gasasira
non-local leave.
10 February: Rest and Relaxation Break and then
2.
Dr. Bjorn Forsen
His Contract ended on 30 January 2002.
2.
Mr. Tim Freeman
14 February 2002: Rest and Relaxation.
B.
WHO Supported Missions
1. Ms. Nyanpu Taylor
Mr. Sammakai Richards
2. Dr. Harrison Freeman
26 February - 01 March 2002 to attend
intercountry
meeting on Food and Nutrition Plan and Policy in
Nairobi, Kenya.
Framework Convention for Tobacco Control in Geneva,
Switzerland from 17 - 23 March. He left Liberia on
13 March to process visa matters in Accra.
P.O. Box 0316, 1000 MONROVIA, 10, LIBERIA , TEL: (231)227-378, FAX: (231) 226-208, SAT: +871 762 545 625 VSAT: +31 594 55 21 22 EXTN. 5502
Email: wco.wholr@undp.org