Situation highlights
Due to the insecurity prevailing in the Capital Bangui, healthcare delivery to the general population of Bangui is heavily affected. Wounded patients cannot access health services. There have been reports of widespread looting of healthcare facilities.
Health needs are critical, as emergency care mainly in Bangui is hampered by non-functional health facilities according to the initial assessments done by Health partners (NGOs).
The precarious security situation is characterized by:
• Limited access to essential healthcare as health workers fleeing violence have left health facilities unable to provide health care
• Lack of medicines, medical supplies and emergency medical assistance equipment.
• A poor disease surveillance system in a context of poor living conditions and a high prevalence of communicable diseases. Indeed, scarcity of drinking water, electricity and basic sanitation is increasing the risk of outbreaks of water-borne diseases.
• Lack of access for humanitarian service providers.
Response:
• WHO provided technical support to the Ministry of Health for setting up a crisis unit to coordinate the health sector humanitarian response.
• WHO and Health Cluster partners provided medicines and emergency surgical supplies to NGOs for delivery to functioning health facilities.
• UNICEF and WHO prepared an urgent international order for medicines, materials and equipment to facilitate the provision of emergency medical assistance for the next three months.
• A joint initial rapid assessment and inventory of the health services (28 hospitals and 236 health centres) has been initiated for the 22 health districts and the city of Bangui.
• Support the provision of basic health services through NGO partners in healthcare facilities in accessible areas has started.