The first of five diarrhoeal treatment centres for forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals and host populations install jointly by icddr,b and UNICEF

Dhaka, April 16, 2018 – The first of five round-the-clock diarrhoeal treatment centres (DTC) in Leda, Cox’s Bazar was inaugurated on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. In addition to the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals the DTCs will provide support to the host community in collaboration with the local health service authority of the Government of Bangladesh. icddr,b has also provided training to 450 healthcare professionals on diarrhoea management to ensure that the DTCs will provide excellence in clinical services.

In late September 2017, icddr,b and UNICEF jointly conducted a field assessment of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, and identified the potential risks of diarrhoeal outbreak and  mitigation initiatives . Based on the recommendations of the assessment icddr,b partnered with UNICEF to strengthen healthcare services for diarrhoeal disease and malnutrition.

The activities under the partnership include -  i) Training of doctors, nurses, para-medics and community health workers of the Government and NGOs working in the area, ii) Management of diarrhoeal disease and associated malnutrition through five DTCs in Leda, Shyamlapur, Balukhali, Teknaf, and Ukhia, and iii) DTC based diarrheal diseases surveillance.

Speaking on the occasion, Jean Metenier, Chief Field Operations, UNICEF Cox’s Bazar said, "I am very pleased to handover the first of five Diarrhea Treatment Centre to ICDDR,B  today. I thank all the doctors and support staff from icddr,b who are making a difference by providing humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable communities."

Dr Azharul Islam Khan, Chief Physician and Head of Hospitals at icddr,b and the project lead said, "This is the first partnership between icddr,b and UNICEF in the field services. The challenge is to ensure delivery of service to the communities by maintaining our global recognition for diarrheal treatment."

Dr Pranoy Rudra, Medical Officer (MODC), Teknaf said, "We will continue to extend our support to unicef and icddr,b to provide assistance to the vulnerable population from Myanmar as well as Leda, and surrounding communities. Our health workers will disseminate information that this centre is now open to provide services."

Two more DTCs will be operational by the end of April 2018, and the remaining two in early May 2018.

 

TIK