Helping Families in Nahr al-Bared
29 October 2009
The most serious health needs for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are of those living in the devastated refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared. Located on the outskirts of Tripoli in the north of Lebanon, 82% of camp buildings in Nahr al-Bared were demolished and tens of thousands of refugees were displaced due to the fighting in 2007.
MAP's Project
With camp reconstruction proceeding at a snail's pace, one of MAP's projects is addressing the health needs of vulnerable young mothers. This is done on the basis of an integrated care model including health education, health promotion, home-based support and access to professional clinical services.
MAP knows that improving a child's chance of survival, health and development, particularly for children at risk, born either premature or with a disability, is dependent on the quality of the interaction between the parent and child. While refugees remain displaced in temporary housing, there is a continued negative impact on their health.
Frequent bouts of illness, watery and bloody diarrhoea, viral hepatitis, fevers and intestinal infestations all limit children's opportunities to explore and learn, this during a period in early childhood is critical for developing basic intellectual and social skills.
To ensure both success and sustainability, MAP's project utilises community-based health initiatives directed at pregnant women and infants. One of the core components - a community outreach nursing team comprising midwives and nurses - is successfully working from a well-resourced clinic which provides adequate space for the variety of activities.
Learn about the home visits programme here
Dr Ali Dakwar, MAP's project co-ordinator, is based in the clinic together with a part-time paediatrician, an administrator and ancillary staff. Dr Ali told MAP how the midwives work alongside MAP's community mothers scheme to "promote a sustainable approach to health through education and empowerment combating the effects of child stunting. In particular, nutritional courses are critically important in protecting the health of the next generation". Newborn paediatric care is also available in the clinic.
The team is providing coverage which currently stands at just over 50% of the patients accessing UN services. Between January and April 2009 the project staff have carried out 947 home visits to 442 families.
Interview with Dr Ali
-Introducing Primary Health care
-Issues with health care delivery for Palestinian refugees
