FROM THE FIELD
The recent attacks in the Gaza Strip have had a serious impact on the health care services available, worsening the already precarious living conditions of the population.Together with a national NGO, Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS), Merlin is continuing to save lives after the emergency, helping to rebuild this fragile health system.In Rafah and Jabalyia, we are supporting primary health services by providing direct medical support through mobile and static health clinics.We are also working in partnership with the National Blood Bank Society and the Ministry of Health to ensure safe blood supplies.Static and mobile health clinicsMobile and static health clinics operating in Gaza provide essential health care for all including vaccinations, maternal and child health, and disease prevention and control.Merlin is currently assisting PMRS operating a mobile health clinic in Rafah District which is serving 400 people each week, and includes a referral service where it is not possible to treat a patient.Before this clinic was running, PMRS was operating out of a small tent and travelling by taxi. This unit was desperately needed, as the time it took to set up the tent each day delayed the time available to see patients.Merlin is also supporting a static clinic in Jabalyia, which will treat 240 patients each week and provides advanced specialist services such as orthopaedic care.A safe power supply to blood banksThe recent violence in Gaza saw an increase in demand for safe blood products. Building on a previous programme, Merlin continues to improve the availability of safe blood products by ensuring that blood banks have a reliable power supply.Based on an assessment of power requirements, Merlin is installing an uninterrupted power supply in the national blood bank laboratory. This is crucial as the old unit was unable to retain a power supply, meaning even a small interruption to power destroyed valuable testing supplies and blood specimens that were being analysed.UPDATE: As of this month, Merlin is partnering with HelpAge International to further extend our work in Gaza. With funding from the WHO, we are strenghtening essential public health functions with a special focus on chronic diseases and elderly.
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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
