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23 January 2005
(1)
On
23 January 2005, Randy Grodman
(Communications Officer) and Ibrahim Kone (Logistician) of WHO joined a delegation of UNICEF
staff for a visit to MadifushiIsland (pre-Tsunami “registered”
population of 1,017; mid-2004 “population” of 667).
(2)
Health
staff on Madifushi – There is no doctor working on
the island, and there was no doctor even before 26
Dec. 2004. There are two family health workers, and we
spoke with one of them (Zeedha). To become a family health worker, Zeedha received six months training on an island on Ra
Atoll. We toured the island with Zeedha and the community health worker (Ali), who arrived
on Madifushi in mid-January. Ali is from Gam
on Laamu Atoll; he will stay on Madifushi
for a few weeks, and will then be replaced by another community health worker
provided by the government.
(3)
Health
facilities – There is only a family health section, which consisted of one
room in the Island Office before Tsunami.
Since the Island Office is now being used to house NSS staff
(including for sleeping), the family health section is now one room in a
different building (near the main beach).
The room is crowded with boxes (health supplies), and the only
furniture is a small desk and one chair.
(4)
Health
supplies – The community health worker and family health worker indicated
that they have adequate medical supplies to treat basic injuries and
sickness. However, there is no
possibility to treat emergencies properly, and in cases of emergencies the
patient must be sent to GuradhooIsland (30 minutes away by dhoni).
(5)
Health
effects of Tsunami: There were no
deaths on the island during the tsunami; however, 29 people were seriously
injured, and were sent to Guradhoo.
(6)
Current
health situation: Since 26 Dec. 2005, the cumulative numbers are:
(a)
Diarrhoea: 20 cases
total (note: MOH figure is 9). There were two new cases on January 23rd.
(b)
Viral
fever: 62 cases total (note: MOH figure is 51)
(c)
ARI: 96 cases total (note: MOH figure is 26)
(d)
Pregnant
women – there are currently six pregnant women, and the family health workers
examine them on a regular basis. One
to two weeks before their due date, they will go to GuradhooIsland for labour
and delivery.
(e)
Psychosocial
and mental health – There are approximately 20 people with “minor
psychological problems.” They have
difficulty sleeping properly.
(7)
Water
– There is no shortage of drinking water.
The German team (THW) has a water purification plant in operation on Madifushi. This is
running very well, and will be taken over by a Maldivian
man from Male’ after the THW team departs (at the end of January). Some residents do not like the taste of the
water, but they are drinking it anyway.
(8)
Food
– According to the health workers and several island residents with whom we
spoke, the Government of Maldives has been providing sufficient food
supplies, and there has not been any shortage of food (including for
children).
Housing
– Many houses were either completely or partially destroyed by Tsunami. According to government statistics, there
are presently 733 homeless people, including 235 children. There are about 45 tents located on the
beach, and approximately 350 people are living in the tents. A new housing facility is under
construction on the beach, which is expected to take three months to
complete. Sanitation ditches are being
dug immediately adjacent to the new housing facility (2-3 meters distance),
which is a concern.
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