For victims in Nepal, WHO organizes the prevention of diarrheal diseases
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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WHO, in partnership with partner organizations, allocated additional funds, including medicines and medical equipment, to residents of Nepal, affected by the earthquake, in order to prevent the spread of diarrheal infections. According to Dr. Lina Aunga, the official representative of the World Organization in Nepal, earthquakes of such a force cause damage and pollution of the water supply system, and this entails a high risk of diarrhea in people consuming this water. All those affected by the disaster were placed in tent camps, which significantly increases the risk of diarrhea due to crowded living.
After a severe earthquake, about three million people were left without their homes, many residents were forced to leave their surviving homes because of fear of new earthquakes. Most of the victims live in extremely difficult conditions, for example, in temporary camps during a bad weather, people are forced to hide from the rain and wind only with a tarpaulin. Now, at an early stage, the World Health Organization and its partners in the health sector launched not only activities to detect diarrhea cases , but also provided clean drinking water and sanitation facilities for tent camp residents, including mobile toilets and sheds.
Also, volunteers disseminate information about the importance of improving hygiene in such difficult conditions.
Employees of the World Health Organization supply tent camps with special chlorine-containing tablets for disinfecting drinking water, soap, towels, etc., to improve hygiene. Also, the regional consultant from WHO on safe water supply and sanitation, noted that all necessary medicines and medical equipment for treating diarrhea patients are delivered to temporary camps. The special kits include antibacterial drugs, preparations for intravenous administration, mixtures of dry salts for toxin removal, disinfectants, and other materials necessary for the work of medical staff.
In temporary camps for those affected by the devastating earthquake, cases of diarrheal diseases were already recorded, but all of them had an occasional, unstable character. Today, according to preliminary estimates, the number of cases of such a disease does not exceed the minimum permissible values, given the living conditions and heavy rains that were recently held in Nepal.
Patrick Duigan, the head of the program on migration resettlement, whose responsibility is to create appropriate conditions in temporary camps for people resettled from natural areas, noted that none of the temporary camps recorded a dangerous level of diarrheal diseases and now there are no facts that could would indicate an increased risk of outbreaks of such diseases.
Dr. Duigan also noted that close work is being done by representatives of WHO, the International Organization for Migration and the Government of Nepal, during which information on the number of tents located in tents, their living conditions, and ensuring full access to medical services is collected.
