4 December 2016 – WHO has successfully delivered life-saving medicines and medical supplies inside Mosul city. The shipment, enough to treat almost 13 000 patients, includes chronic disease medicines, antibiotics, medicines and supplies to treat trauma injuries. Reproductive health items were provided by the United Nations Population Fund.
Urgent medical services for more than 50 000 people living in east Mosul city are provided through a primary health care centre, managed by the Ninewa Directorate of Health. Due to limited health services in the area, the centre also serves 9 other neighbouring suburbs with a total population of almost 150 000 people.
As a result of limited access by aid agencies to the suburb while it was inaccessible, the primary health care centre faced acute shortages of essential medicines and medical supplies. Shortages in water, power supply and fuel for the generator are also now a huge challenge, and the centre has been forced to temporarily close on several occasions over the past few weeks as a result of mortar shelling.
The centre is served by 7 doctors, including internal medicine specialists, general surgeons, pediatricians and an anesthesiologist. Almost all are working as unpaid volunteers. Health staff see up to 1000 patients a day, including 10–15 patients a day with mortar shell injuries. People also require treatment for chronic diseases such diabetes, heart conditions, asthma and epilepsy.
Since access has gradually become possible, injured patients are transported by ambulances provided by WHO to the nearest supported trauma stabilization point in eastern Mosul, before continuing their journey to hospitals in Erbil, at least 2 hours away.
Related links
Health needs of displaced, injured from Mosul, Iraq, increasing
29 November 2016
Civilians caught in the cross-fire: WHO supports trauma care services for people in and around Mosul
9 November 2016
