| 30 Bul-Bul Avenue, Apt. #45 | Telephone: (994-12) 93-43-11; 98-05-38 | Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan | Fax: (994-12) 98-28-70 | E-Mail: mhuet@amadou.baku.az |
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY UMCORs clinics and medical points maintained regular schedules during the month of March, with primary health care clinics in Baku serving 7,023 IDP patients. These facilities serve IDPs residing in ten districts of the city. A total of 6,365 IDPs received primary health care through eight UMCOR medical points in Sabirabad, Imishli, Saatli, Fizuli and Agjabedi. In March, the MCI clinic doctors continued to distribute three types of health education leaflets pertaining to Acute Lower Respiratory Infections (ALRI) of Children; Immunization; and Micro- Nutrients/Vitamin Deficiency to improve the knowledge of these health considerations among the target population (IDP/RP mothers of reproductive age). Furthermore, the clinic doctors initiated the distribution of new leaflets devoted to Tuberculosis, Scabies, Worms, and Poliomyelitis. At the end of March the procured medicines were airlifted form the US to Baku. Upon completion of the inventory of the shipment, preparations were carried out to deliver the medicines to the USAID/MCI project targeted clinics in the beginning of April. PROJECT UPDATES 1. Department of State Emergency Medical Assistance Project Five Department of State-funded clinics continued providing primary health care services to the target population. The following are statistics pertaining to IDP/RP patient visits to the DoS clinics in March 1999: Districts: | Azizbekov | Surakhani | Binagadi | Sabunchi | Karadag | TOTAL: | # of IDP/RP | 13,447 | 18,223 | 36,268 | 23,621 | 10,971 | 102,530 | # of patients: | 603 | 496 | 547 | 789 | 766 | 3,201 |
During the month of March, a mobile clinic consisting of a Pediatrician, a Nurse and a Driver continued their outreach activities, which enable primary health care, medicines and medical supplies be delivered to institutionalized/handicapped children in 33 Children Institutions in Baku and the Absheron area. In March, the UMCOR Pediatrician served 281 institutionalized/handicapped children in the targeted Children Institutions. The mobile pediatric team initiated the direct delivery of medical supplies, recently donated from the U.S. to all 33 Children Institutions. 36 state health facilities continue to receive medicines and medical supplies available from five UMCOR medicine dispensaries. A total of 636 patients received medicines and medical supplies in the five UMCOR medicine dispensaries during the month of March. During the month, one meeting was conducted with UMCOR medical staff. Work-related issues were discussed during the meeting. In March training sessions were also conducted for general practitioners and pediatricians on the following topics: Arrhythmia and Obstetric Care on Pre-Hospital Stage respectively. Pre- and post-test were administered in conjunction with these training sessions. Medicines and medical materials were delivered to local NGOs working in collaboration with UMCOR. Health workers of the following organizations filled patient prescription forms using UMCOR medicines and medical supplies: Azerbaijan Charity Society HAVVA, The Association of Parents of the Children with Talassemia, Hemophilic Patients Association and the Jewish Womens Organization of Azerbaijan. In March a contract for collaboration was signed with Mercy and Health Foundation, a local NGO. Their intention is to perform dental care for IDP children, residing in the former ECHO camps in Imishli, Saatli, and Sabirabad regions of Azerbaijan, where UMCOR medical points are providing primary health care to IDP and refugees. According to the signed contract UMCOR supported Mercy and Health Foundation dentists with medical supplies and premises in UMCOR medical points functioning in IDP camps. Contracts were also signed with the Republican Psychiatric Hospital #1 and City Psychiatric Hospital #1. . Patients frequenting these facilities as well as from the Children Psycho-Neurological Clinic #2, the City Psychiatry Hospital #2, and the Psycho- Somatic Department of Clinical Hospital #1 received particularly essential medicines and medical supplies during the month. Another contract was signed with Republican Arthrological Center, engaged in the treatment of joint diseases. According to the terms of the contract, UMCOR supplied the center with some medical supplies. In March, all Glaucoma patients were provided with Timolole Maleate and Humorsol solutions, which was distributed through UMCOR medicine dispensaries. The monitoring of all 3,655 (100%) prescription forms was conducted during March, which had been filled by UMCOR clinic doctors in February, were in accordance with WHO protocols and MSF guidelines. Results of the monitoring indicated that 3,649 (99.8%) of the prescriptions had been correct. 2. USAID/MCI 1 Primary Health Care Support/Five Clinics in Baku/Absheron Region The table presented below shows statistics of IDP/RP patients who received primary health care from the five clinics supported by the project during the month of March. Districts: | Yasamal | Narimanov | Khatai | Nizami | Sabail | TOTAL: | # of IDP/RP | 12,257 | 25,747 | 21,836 | 18,449 | 10,814 | 89,103 | # of patients: | 775 | 644 | 838 | 698 | 868 | 3,823 |
In March training sessions were conducted for general practitioners and pediatricians on the following topics: Arrhythmia and Obstetric Care on Pre-Hospital Stage respectively. Associated pre- and post-tests were administered in conjunction with the training sessions. In March end-use survey was conducted among the project beneficiaries in Nizami and Narimanov districts of Baku. The monitoring was based on random selection of prescription forms, prescribed by the UMCOR clinic doctors. 368 (7%) of the prescription forms were selected and 304 (6%) of the beneficiaries were surveyed. The survey revealed the following: all (100%) of the surveyed population had access to free medical consultations and medicines, and as a result of the treatment there was a considerable improvement in the health status of the beneficiaries; 99% of the surveyed population stated that they would continue to visit UMCOR clinics; and 72% of the surveyed population were aware of the country providing them with this type of assistance. On 10 March, ophthalmic specialists from Caspian Project, an American humanitarian organization, conducted examination and selection of IDPs residing in the target districts of Baku, suffering from Cataracts. UMCOR has participated in the patient screening process. Preparations for the further surgical operations were conducted in the premises of Nizami clinic and the districts Refugee Committee. In March, the monitoring of all 3,431 (100%) prescription forms filled out by clinic doctors during the month of February was conducted in accordance with WHO protocols and MSF guidelines. Results of the monitoring indicated that 99.7% of the prescriptions had been completed correctly. USAID/MCI Primary Health Care Support/Seven ECHO Camps and Two IDP Settlements All the eight medical points continued to serve IDP/RP patients, residing in the seven former ECHO camps and the two collective centers in Imishli, Saatli, Sabirabad, Fizuli and Agjabedi regions of Azerbaijan. The following table presents statistics on the number of IDP/RP patients that received primary health care at UMCORs eight medical points during the month of March: Medical Point | Region | #of IDPs/RPs | # of patients | Sabirabad 1 (Ahtachi) | Sabirabad | 2,311 | 662 | Sabirabad 2 (Shahriyar) | Sabirabad | 2,069 | 505 | Saatli (Alisoltanli) | Saatli | 2,145 | 589 | Bahramtepe | Imishli | 3,900 | 693 | Fizuli (Bahmanli) | Fizuli | 2,650 | 636 | Agjabedi (Khojavand) | Agjabedi | 2,000 | 1621 | Boztepe | Imishli | 2,790 | 858 | Garabag | Fizuli | 12,326 | 714 | TOTAL: | | 30,191 | 6,365 |
In March UMCOR medical staff organized consultations between needy IDP patients and representatives from the Leonard Cheshire Department of Conflict Recovery (London) in the Bahramtape and Sabirabad-1 medical points. The patients were examined and forwarded to Baku for necessary surgical procedures. Prescription and consumption forms written by medical point doctors were analyzed in March. The quantity of the five most commonly used medicines and two medicines randomly selected from the prescription forms was compared with the quantity presented in the consumption forms. In total, 3,929 prescription forms were checked and 56 denominations of medicines were selected. The monitoring indicated that there was no divergence between the prescription and consumption forms of the medical points. The March monitoring of all 3,929 (100%) prescription forms, prescribed by the medical point doctors in February was conducted in accordance with WHO protocols and MSF guidelines. The results of the monitoring indicated that 99.7 % of prescription forms had been correct. 3. USAID/MCI 1 Health Partnership Program The UMCOR Medical Program Officer worked with Azerbaijan-British Joint Venture Company Quero Ltd.. to create Web Pages for the selected hospitals. The creation of Web Pages for the Republican Center of Surgery has already been completed. On 24 March, the group of four doctors, including Chief Physician of the Republican Scientific Center of Surgery Rasim Gahramanov, Scientific Worker of the Republican Scientific Center of Surgery Anar Namazov, Chief for the Department of Abnormal Pregnancy of the Republic Clinic Hospital Sevil Tarigulyeva, and Chief for the Orthopedic Department of the Republic Clinic Hospital Shofic Akhmedov left for Houston to participate in advanced specialty training courses. On 24 March UMCOR Head of Mission, Medical Coordinator, and Medical Program Officer met with AIHA Regional Director for the Caucasus Office Dr. Arsen Kubataev. UMCOR projects activities were introduced to Dr. Kubatayev. Dr. Kubataev expressed his interest to learn more about the Health Partnership Project activities. The following day Health Partnership program-in-action was presented to Dr. Kubataev. He visited the computer centers that were established in the target hospitals under the framework of the program. 4. UNHCR/Meskhetian Turk Project UMCOR initiated implementation of project activities during the month of March. Non-Food Distribution In March 1999, UMCOR received 43 bales of blankets, 4 bales of clothing from UNHCR. UMCOR and Vatan completed the distribution of seeds in the Southeast and Northeast regions. Also, Vatan Society completed the distribution of 53 bales of quilts, 30 bales of sweaters and 223 packs of seeds in Ismayilli, Shamakhi, Zakatala, Agsu, Gabala, Gobustan and Goranboy districts. The distribution of 243 family greenhouses was completed in the Northeast region. Region | District | # of fam-s | Quilt (pcs.) | Sweater (pcs.) | Seeds (packet) | Steel bar (pcs.) | Plastic sheeting (m) | Rope (m) | Irrigation cans (pcs.) | NE | Guba | 480 | 0 | 0 | 1,470 | 846 | 940 | 4,700 | 81 | NE | Siyazan | 43 | 0 | 0 | 129 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NE | Devechi | 334 | 0 | 0 | 1,005 | 585 | 650 | 3,250 | 60 | NE | Gusar | 25 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 45 | 50 | 250 | 5 | NE | Khizi | 83 | 0 | 0 | 249 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NE | Khachmaz | 437 | 0 | 0 | 1,311 | 711 | 790 | 3,950 | 79 | SE | Saatli | 1,303 | 0 | 0 | 3,995 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | SE | Sabirabad | 585 | 0 | 0 | 1,755 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NE | Gobustan | 32 | 83 | 183 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NE | Shamakhi | 377 | 658 | 1,597 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NE | Ismayilli | 150 | 312 | 431 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NE | Agsu | 54 | 96 | 246 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NE | Gabala | 20 | 43 | 114 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NW | Zakatala | 146 | 408 | 481 | 223 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NW | Goranboy | 22 | 48 | 153 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Total in March | 4,091 | 1,648 | 3,205 | 10,212 | 2,187 | 2,430 | 12,150 | 225 | | Sub-total by previous month | 3,281 + 4,091 | 7,594 + 1,648 | 342 + 3,205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Grand total | 7,372 | 9,242 pcs. | 3,547 pcs. | 10,212 packets | 2,187 pcs. | 2,430 m. | 12,150 m. | 225 pcs. |
Agriculture California worms: The farmer from Velvala, Guba district continues maintaining the worms. The farmer applied the produced organic fertilizer to plants in his kitchen garden. Other farmers from the settlement are also interested in using organic fertilizer in their fields. Family Greenhouse: UMCOR and Vatan field staff erected a demonstration greenhouse in the Khachmaz office yard and instructed each Farmers Group on the construction and maintenance of family greenhouses according to the sketch. UMCOR procured materials for 243 greenhouses and distributed them to new farmers. Health and Nutrition Health Education: The leaders of the womens groups continue to assist UMCOR health educators in dissemination of health education lesson plans for women and children. UMCORs four part-time Health Education teams initiated the first lesson plan on Immunization both in newly and previously targeted settlements. A total of 816 women in the southeast region and 1,240 in Northeast region attended the lesson during the month of March. The dissemination of the lesson plan is on going in the old settlements. Reproductive Health Care (RHC) Services: UMCOR started the implementation of the Reproductive Health Care activities according to the new system on 17 March in the Northeast region. The same activities for the Southeast region will take place in April 1999. The UMCORs gynecologists work conjointly with the local MoH employees (mid wives, feldchers or nurses) in the settlements where UMCOR has established its clinics. UMCORs RHC Program Manager conducted training among the MoH personnel (nurse, mid-wives and feldchers) in the districts of Hajigabul, Sabirabad, Davachi, Guba, Khachmaz, Khizi and Siyazan prior to their employment for Meskhetian Turk project. The training topics included: Aseptic and Antiseptic; and Sterilization. After the test exams, 27 nurses/midwives were selected for the reproductive health care program. These nurses/midwives were involved in the joint work with four UMCOR mobile gynecological teams. A total of 221 MT/IDP women were examined; 22 cases of which were referrals to womens consultation centers and 203 women were diagnosed with various diseases. A total of 24 beneficiaries received contraceptives (21 per oral, 2 injections and 1 intrauterine) from UMCOR gynecologists in the Northeast and Southeast regions. Community Services - Children's activities UMCOR and Vatans field staff is currently working on organization of the Childrens Center and sports activities both in the Northeast and Southeast regions. All Childrens Centers, as well as sports activities, will be established by the community. The Community Committees will initiate the activities, and coordinate the respective Local Authorities and UMCOR. Vatan Society Capacity Building UMCOR initiated the formation of Community Committees in both regions. The Community Committee consist of the following four groups: Womens Group (3 to 5 members); Youths Group (3 boys and 3 girls); Farmers Group (3 to 5 members); and Teachers-Parents Group (3 to 5 members). Each group represents one segment of the community, and elects their group leader to be the member of Community Committee. The exception is the Youth Group, which sends two leaders (one boy and one girl) to the Committee. Each Community Committee requires that 40% of its membership be women. The capacity building process of Meskhetian communities is divided into three steps: 1) Formation of Groups and Community Committees; 2) Writing applications/project proposals according to the format developed by UMCOR; and 3) Tri-partite agreement between Community Committee, Local Authorities and NGO or any other external entities. All Group Leaders will identify the problems related to the sector of community they present. They will play an active role in the decision making process. The Community Committee members will develop the proposals and submit them to national/international NGOs or any other entities. It will be the responsibility of the Community Committee Leader to bring together the various Group Leaders, and invite the Local Authority representatives when organizing the community meetings. UMCOR will provide guidance to the community for this process initially.
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