Tsunami Response : Progress

     SEARO REPORT - September 2005

     WHO operations in Nias, Indonesia, will be closed down as district health offices are now operational there.

     In Aceh, the mapping of health facilities has been completed.

     In the Maldives, WHO has provided two speedboats to transport patients, supplies and equipment to the most remote islands.

     A survey on rainwater harvesting is being carried out in the Maldives.

     SEARO REPORT - August 2005

COUNTRIES: INDONESIA, THE MALDIVES AND SRI LANKA

     Health Officials in the Maldives are being trained in field epidemiology methods customized to local needs.

     Lack of electricity in many health centres hampers the national surveillance system in Aceh.

     In Aceh more than 200 cubic meters of pharmaceutical waste need safe disposal. WHO, UNEP and other international agencies are working on solutions with the Ministry of Health.

     In Sri Lanka, several hundred staff are being recruited and trained in community mental health.

     SEARO REPORT - July 2005

COUNTRIES: INDONESIA, THE MALDIVES AND SRI LANKA

     In Sri Lanka, the Mental Health Policy 2005 was drafted and agreed by Minister of Health.

     The incidence of communicable diseases under surveillance appears to be stable or decreasing in all three countries.

     In Indonesia, the transition from emergency to routine surveillance system is now complete.  However, there is a need for more training and resources to strengthen the system.