Lebanon Health Emergency Response Situation update #3 (05-10 October 2024)

WHO response

In response (since 05 October 2024)
• 13 trauma and surgical kits were distributed to 6 hospitals, each kit is sufficient to perform 100 surgical interventions for 50 trauma patients. Another 30 kits were prepared and ready to be distributed to priority hospitals
• In cooperation with YMCA, WHO continued to monitor the distribution of NCD and mental health medications to PHCs serving host communities and displaced patients. Displaced people are also benefiting from existing NCD and mental health medications through PHCs and PSUs

Coordination

• WHO supported the expansion of PHEOC capacity through recruitment of 9 additional surge staff to sustain PHEOC operations, referral of patients, hospitals evacuation, transferring of patients to health services (dialysis, chemotherapy, etc)
• Establishment of an EMT coordination unit under PHEOC based on a memorandum of understanding and in line with WHO EMT initiative’s standardized tools and methodology.
• 6 public hospitals identified as potential trauma centers supported by Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs), while potentials EMTs to support these trauma centers have been identified.

Health Facility/Trauma Management Capacity

• A trauma working group, co-chaired by WHO and PHEOC/ MOPH, has been established and is meeting weekly to build the capacity of trauma pathway activities from point of injury to specialized care.
• Through the trauma working group, there are plans to organize a training on surgical skills and emergency care for trauma in conflict, tentatively in November.
• WHO exploring means to support gap-filling for health staff not reporting to work due to displacement or security concerns, especially for nursing staff at priority hospitals.
• Continued to monitor the mass casualty management at referral hospitals and provide technical support as needed.

Epi/Surveillance

• No confirmed disease outbreak to date across the country, especially displaced shelters.
• Supporting the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit (ESU) at MOPH to expand early warning and community-based surveillance on priority diseases to include shelters.
• 6 training sessions for 155 participants from 35 NGOs conducted to enhance early detection of epidemic-prone diseases in shelters.
• Approximately 291,000 (81%) in targeted areas have been vaccinated with the Oral Cholera Vaccines in door-to-door campaign. The campaign continues in Akkar and Tripoli.

[[{"type":"media","fid":"98315","view_mode":"default","instance_fields":"override","link_text":"situation-report-3.pdf"}]]