The Islamic Transitional Government of
Afghanistan
Ministry of Public Health
Health and Nutrition Sector Coordination Report
Reporting Period: 28 September- 4 October 2002
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Contents
Coordination
Sub-sectors
Regional overview
Missions to Afghanistan, international meetings/ training & workshops
Surveys and assessments
Calendar of forthcoming activities
Coordination
Program secretariat
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Costing of the referral component of the Basic Package of Health Services will begin, depending
on availability of expert consultants, in November. It will be conducted by the MoPH and
MSH/USAID
Initial discussions were held on an ADB-MoPH-WHO MoU that describes an ADB funded project
for capacity building of the MoPH, and a pilot project on PHC partnership
The finalized ToRs of the PS, HCTF, and NTCC will be distributed by the MoPH in the coming
week
An initial meeting was held with a representative of the WB regarding the ToRs of the PPAs.
Further discussions and negotiations will be needed before the ToRs can be finalized. An
appraisal mission of the WB is anticipated in mid-November.
The BPHS (Basic Package) is being amended to include further detail on nutrition, essential
drugs, and CBHC (Community Based Health Care). The finalized document should be available
before the arrival of the WB appraisal mission.
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Health coordination meeting
The meeting chaired by Dr Mizami and composed of ICRC, Medair, UNFPA, European commission and
WHO discussed the need of an ethic committee as a support to the MOPH. The ICRC submitted a project
to the MOPH for further internal discussion. The next meeting will discuss the proposal concerning the
salary and incentive of NGOs staff in the health sector.
Sub-sectors
Maternal and Child Health
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As a follow up to National Safe Motherhood Planning workshop (17-19 September 2002), Regional
Safe Motherhood workshops will be held from 12-14 October 2002 in (Eastern, North eastern,
Southern and western) regions. These workshops will be conducting in collaboration with Provincial
Public Health Directorate in the respected regions and will be facilitated by UNICEF, WHO and
UNFPA. Safe Motherhood planning workshop for Central region was held from 6-8 October 2002 in
Khyber Hotel, Kabul. Governmental and non-governmental organizations from central region were
attended in the workshop. The objectives of the workshop were:
1. To share the content of the National strategy for the reduction of maternal mortality
2. To identify roles and responsibilities of partner organizations/group contributing to the strategy
(MOPH, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, NGOs, Afghan society of Obstetricians and gynecologist,
external partners, Donors and community groups)
3. To develop Regional work plans to identify expected outcomes by December 2003 and draft detail
plans for October 2002-March 2003.
MCH working group meeting was held on Tuesday 8 October 2002 in CHA gallery, as a follow up to
previous meetings, working group drafted job description for Dressing nurse in the MCH clinic. Next
meeting will be held on 15 October 2002 in AHDS office.
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An architectural and engineering assessment of the buildings, that will be restored to become
hospitals of Excellence in EMOC, was carried out in five hospitals: Malalai, Jalabad, Ramihal,
Mechalalam and Herat.
In Jalalabad, the second phase of the curriculum development for auxiliary midwives and clinical
skills design continued with the technical support of JPIEGO. This programme is implemented by
Health Net International, USAID and the Dutch government.
Nutrition
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UNICEF Continued its support to NGO partners on feeding programme, including supplementary and
therapeutic feeding.
A team from the UNICEF Micronutrient health and nutrition section visited the Northeastern region to
assess the capacity of salt mines and also to assess the feasibility of salt iodination.
A Consultatitive meeting was held between UNHCR, WFP, and GTZ to support the blanket feeding
project for returnees.
Malaria
MOPH continues to conduct mobile malaria clinics to outbreak prone areas of Northern Afghanistan,
supported by WHO. An antimalarial drug efficacy study and a nation-wide malaria prevalence study are in
the planning phase.
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Tuberculosis
The TB training for doctors, nurses and lab technicians has been conducted in Mazar and Kunduz last
week. Following this training, TB training for nurses will start on 20 October 2002 in Mazar
The Inter-country Training Workshop will be attended in Cairo, Egypt from 13-22 October 2002 by a
MoPH doctor. Distribution of anti TB drugs to Kandahar has been done.
Mental health
The 1st meeting of the working group on Demand reduction was hold this week in Kabul.
Water supply and sanitation
Emergency chlorination project for Kabul city launched on July 18,902 was followed for the third round. it
should be noted that 3rd round of chlorination activities is financially supported by UNICEF.
An assessment mission went in Kunduz to initiate new projects in the area, while the construction of VIP
latrines in Kandahar is on going.
Health Promotion
Public Information Unit of WHO called the editorial board meeting on October 2, 2002 to finalize the
articles for the first edition of Afghan Health Journal. The meeting, in addition to WHO, UNICEF and
MoPH, was also attended by its other members comprising of national and international NGOs. Editorial
board is comprising of 13 members and its responsibility is to supervise the overall process of production
of this quarterly journal.
Emergency preparedness and response
A study tour in Iran for the head of MOPH department of emergencies preparedness and response, Dr
Wassel and the Head of the office of disaster preparedness is offered by WHO. This tour will offer the
occasion for the authorities of the two neighboring countries to share experience and knowledge in
emergency preparedness and response and to discuss possible trans-border relationship for the response
to emergencies, when needed.
Final assessment is done for the completing the winterization project of assistance to population without
access to health service due to snow blockage.
Overview of Geographic Areas
Central Area
Preparation of the second round of NIDs (22-24 October 02):
Update of the district micro-plans, training of Nids participants and their monitors.
As well the budget of the third round of the Nids ( December 15-17) is under finalization.
The MMRC campaign has been started after training and monitoring of training through WHO, EPI teams,
UNICEF and PEMT/REMT in Qarabagh, Istalif, Kalakan, Farza, Guldara, Dahsabz and Bagrami districts
of Kabul provinces Bagram, Charikar districts of Parwan province Khoshi, Mohd Agha districts of Logar
Maidanshar district of Wardak provinces and the average coverage is 97.06%
One AFP cases have been detected this week from Kohistan district of Kapisa provinces. The two
samples were collected and have sent in a good condition to the referral laboratory.
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Northern Area, Mazar
A training on TB began on September 30th for 22 medical doctors, TB provinicial coordinators for 5
provinces of tye Northern region. The course will be hold for 2 weeks.
Organization of mobile clinics for case management of malaria in Faryab and Aqkupruk districts of Balk
province.
The number of diarrheal diseases in Jawzjan is neatly decreasing and the last CDD camps will be closed
after two weeks.
Faizabad
Training of vaccinators for the second round of NIDs that will be concluded on October 9,2002
Assessment of needs for winterization project in Takhar, Kundoz and Baghalam provinces.
Southern Area, Kandahar
A training for 12 doctors on PHC management was hold in Mirwais hospital.
Terre des homes finalize a training of TBA who received their kits from WHO. The TBAs are now able to
provide antenatal consultation, assist home deliveries and refer high-risk cases to health centers.
Monitoring of AFP sentinel’s sites in Maiwand, Panjwai and Kandahar city, revision of micro-plan for the
second round of NIDs.
Eastern Area, Jalalabad
Increase of malaria cases is reported by Nangahar public health hospital with 28% of total admission and
last week up to 37% of the total admissions are due to malaria with 85% of the cases identified for
plasmodium falciparum.
Training on PHC management in Laghman province for 19 doctors.
Meetings & workshops
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October 8: 10 am IMPD: Malaria Task force
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October 13, 10:00 am. MOPH: NTCC meeting
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October 20, 10:30: nutrition task force
Calendar of forthcoming activities
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5-6 October 2002, 3rd DOTS/TB expansion working group meeting, Montreal, Canada
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21-23 October 2002, International conference on wastewater management and its effect on the
environment in hot and arid countries, Muscat, Oman.
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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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