The Islamic Transitional Government of
Afghanistan
Ministry of Public Health
Health and Nutrition Sector Coordination Report
Reporting Period: 2-8 November 2002
Email to submit information for next week's newsletter: registry@afg.emro.who.int (mention in subject line:
“for weekly update on health sector”. Reports can also be requested through this address.)
Contents
Coordination
Sub-sectors
Regional overview
Missions to Afghanistan, international meetings/ training & workshops
Surveys and assessments
Calendar of forthcoming activities
Coordination
Program secretariat
Discussions were held regarding the possible replacement of Programme Secretariats by Local
Consultative Groups, a mechanism agreed during the recent IG. Local Consultative Groups will be led by
the lead donor to the sector. The Ministries of Finance, Reconstruction and Planning will decide within the
next two weeks which donor they will appoint as the head of the LCG for health/nutrition.
Discussions were held regarding the timing of the next JDM, which will concentrate on PPAs. It will likely
be held in late January, exact dates to be finalized
Sub-sectors
Primary Health Care
As part of local capacity building in PHC leadership and implementation, WHO sub-office Herat assisted
the MoPH in organizing and conducting training of health workers on PHC concept, principles and
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delivering of sustainable, community based health services. 50 health professionals will be trained from
various districts of Herat province.
The WHO regional office have organized a comprehensive and informative regional training program
on BDN management skills in Islamabad, Pakistan, during the period 30th December to 7th November
2002. The objectives of the training were:
To reinforce the leadership and management skills
To build the technical capacity of programme at all levels
To develop a standard curriculum for effective and efficient management of Community based Initiatives
To collaborate with academic institutions for conducting the training courses on regular basis
Maternal and Child Health
As per plan for TBA training program in all regions, WHO has dispatched 300 copies of TBA illustrated
guide (translated in to Dari and Pashto) to Kandahar, Kunduz, Herat, Ghazni and Mazar. WHO also
provided support to other partner agencies (Care International, IAM, HOPE world wide) for their TBA
training programs. OXFAM received 200 copies of TBA illustrated guide for the TBA training program in
Bamyan province.
Tuberculosis
On Nov. 4 a joint MoPH/WHO team has left Kabul to reach Kohistan district in Faryab province of
Northern Region, where an increased number of TB cases has been recently reported. The mission will
visit the area and conduct an epidemiological investigation. In addition, the team is carrying along
medicines and laboratory equipment to strengthen the local capacity to deal with tuberculosis.
Further report will follow on return of the team, expected back to Kabul by Nov. 9.
Another team went to assess and monitor TB activities in Eastern region
Health Promotion
To reduce mortality and morbidity among women in Afghanistan WHO and UNICEF launched Women’s
Health Radio Program. Two months extensive training are proceeding the broadcast of the program on
Radio Afghanistan. The training encompasses two weeks of basic journalism skills, two weeks of health
education training, and a technical training. The first program on radio is scheduled late fall.
Emergency preparedness and response
A workshop on emergencies management in Mashad, Iran welcomed guest from Afghanistan MOPH and
WHO offices for three days. The participants reviewed Humanitarian actions in disasters, health and
nutrition services in emergencies, needs for shelter, food and water supply, as well as the management of
environmental health, communicable diseases, rapid health assessment procedures, chemical disasters,
and emergency workers.
Overview of Geographic Areas
Central Area
Training plan and coordination in preparation for third NIDs in December 2002.
Three AFP cases 60 days follow-up have been completed (AFG/05/02173, AFG/05/02176 and
AFG/05/02/180), meanwhile the detailed review of AFG/05/02/187, AFG/05/02/188 and primary review of
AFG/11/02/11 have been completed.
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Northern Area, Mazar
Random on malaria prevalence was initiated in 5 provinces, through four mobile teams
Kunduz, this team also function as mobile clinics for treatment of malaria cases.
Kunduz
Training of trainers on Primary Health Care Management during 10 days for 14 medical doctors and public
health managers in Kunduz.
Faizabad
Mission in Kuffab, sub-district of Drawaz, to assess the suspected outbreak of whooping cough. The
mission confirmed 17 deaths over the last here months in 5 villages.353 patients were treated in the same
villages. Full report will be available at the WHO office this week.
Southern Area, Kandahar
25 over 100 Vip latrines have already been built in Kandahar, under the WHO water and sanitation project
in Kandahar’s slums.
A malaria prevalence survey is ongoing from the 37 sentinelle points hold by MOPH, WHO and health net
in the region and is completed in Dishu, Nahrisaraj and Nawa districts of Helmand province.
In the new IDP camp of Zerae Dasht, arrival of IDPs from other camps like Spin Boldak, Wami and Shoma
has increased in the last few weeks. The actual number of IDPs in the camp is estimated at 16,000. The
camp has a welcoming capacity of 60000. Health activities are supported by MSF/H and ICMC for
reference to the MOPH hospital, in general activities are going well but the EPI activity didn’t started yet in
the camp. 60 cases of identified TB are waiting to receive specific cares. A proposal for training of TBA
will be submitted as two midwifes are actually assisting all deliveries in the camps while the population
keeps increasing.
MOPH conducted first meeting on safe motherhood at Mirwais hospital attended by MOPH, WHO, Unicef,
AHDS, Ibn-Sina, ADAG, LAHC, TDH, MC, MDM and ARIN.
Southeastern Area, Ghazni
Second batch of 10 days training course on management of primary health care is completed. As part of
the BDN program, as six-month literacy course for 25 women was completed this month in Jermatu BDN
model area of Rashidan.
The malaria prevalence survey started on October 21st, 2002 completed successfully on November 7,
2002 and entered now in the analysis phase.
Eastern Area, Jalalabad
The malaria prevalence survey was initiated in Jalalabad where 534 patients have been tested so far. A
training of PHC management was conducted in Kunar province during 10 days.
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Meetings & workshops
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November 4, 10:00: NTCC at the library of MOPH
November 6, 7, 9:00: Presentation of preliminary results of health facility survey at the library of
the MOPH
November 18-20,2002: National Planning Workshop at Inter-Continental Hotel.
Calendar of forthcoming activities
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December 15 to 17, 2002. Third round of NIDs.
Other information:
Visit of Dr Ashour Omar Gebreel, Special Representative of the Regional Director, WHO/EMRO in
Afghanistan for one month.
Dr Aristide Sagbohan, arrive in Kabul to work as WHO technical adviser in nutrition for 6 months.
For more information:
WHO Afghanistan Office
House No. 249, Street No. 10
Wazir Akbar Khan Mina
Kabul, Afghanistan
Tel: (0093) 70279010/1-2
Digital lines : 2300181/2
E-mail : registry@afg.emro.who.int
Fax No : 0047 233 08112 2207
WHO Afghanistan Support Office
P. O. Box No. 1936
House 218, Margalla Road, F-10/3
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: (92 51) 221 1224, 2104770.4
Fax: (92 51) 228 0830
E-mail: supply@whoafg.org
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