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The Island of Madifushi has been visited by the
logistician of the WHO accompanied by Mr. Randy Grodman
(WHO communication officer) on Sunday January 24, 2005. This visit has been facilitated
by UNICEF who kindly invited the WHO staff to join them on their field trip
to MadifushiIsland.
Flight time from
Male: 50 min.
Island name: Madifushi
Atoll: Kolhumadulu (Thaa)
Location: 2°22'N 73°21'E
Pop (before
tsunami): 1018
Pop (after
tsunami): ~ 700
Homeless: 350
Pregnant women: 6
Casualties: 0
death, 29 injured
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Health worker
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MOH
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Diarrhea
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20
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9
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Viral fever
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62
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51
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ARI
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96
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26
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For a one thousand population island, it was surprising
not to find at least a health post with a medical officer in MadifushiIsland. The only one health facility available
in Madifushi was a 6 sq meter room called a
temporary family health post run by a temporary health worker sent by the
health authorities after the tsunami.
The health facility is well supplied with basic drugs
for diarrheas and dehydration (ORS).
Two UNFPA pregnancy kits, one WHO first aid kit and some
antipyretics (paracetamol) were also available. In
case of emergency, the patient has to be transferred to GuradhooIsland which is at 30 min away (by Dhoni, (local boat)).
According to government statistics, 733 people are
homeless including 235 children.
It has however been observed that this data is not
accurate. 350 people are homeless and about 40 tents have been erected to
accommodate them. It has been observed that the camps where the tents have
been assembled do not have any sanitation. People have to go to the houses
bordering the camp for bath and natural needs.
Two shelters are under construction but it has been
noticed that wells have been dug too close to the septic tanks (less than 2 meters).
Also, Sanitation facilities that are being built are too close to the new
shelters under construction.
Enough food and drinking water has been supplied to the
people of Madifushi who are actually assisted by a
German team ( THW) who are operating a small
desalination unit.
Storage capacity (for water) is appropriate so far but
it must be observed here that the operation costs of the desalination unit
are not sustainable for a long term perspective.
After the dry season, people should be encouraged to go
back to the traditional way of stocking the rain water. One prerequisite in
order to do so would be to make one 2500 liter tank available per household
or to rehabilitate the concrete tanks that have been damaged.
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