The massive scale of the monsoon-related disaster in Kerala has attracted so much attention that perhaps for the first time in the country, various UN agencies and the World Bank teams are conducting a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) study in the State.
The PDNA in the health sector is being conducted by WHO. UNICEF is in charge of the nutrition part.
Disease surveillance
World Health Organization (WHO) teams have completed their visits in the worst-flood affected districts of Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Wayanad. The PDNA process is led by the State Health Department, along with partner agencies like the Suchitwa Mission
“The WHO was already working with the State health system following the floods in disease surveillance. We have thus been way ahead, charting out areas we need to focus in the post-disaster phase and devising rehabilitation programmes. Post-disaster, we could contain epidemic outbreaks, provide mental health support to flood victims, treat persons suffering from non-communicable diseases and ensure medical care and drugs for everyone,” a senior Health Department official said.
For a comprehensive PDNA analysis, WHO recommends looking at health infrastructure and assets; delivery of health services; health governance processes and vulnerability and health risks of the affected population.
“WHO has charted out clear guidelines for PDNA process in the health sector, with the focus on the human condition. Nutrition, gender issues, maternal health, mental health, health infrastructure losses, role of private sector and other systems of medicines are all being looked at, so that the State can Build Back Better (BBB). The idea is to develop a concrete disaster management and rehabilitation plan for the health sector, including redesigning of buildings in flood-prone areas,” one of the WHO team members added.
As the disease surveillance and district visits are over, the teams will move to data collation now. The final and consolidated PDNA report of all sectors is expected to be presented in October.
