The UK Secretary of State for International Development Anne-Marie Trevelyan virtually met with the WHO Cox’s Bazar team and discussed the COVID-19 preparedness and response activities in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, addressing the health needs of 1.3 million Rohingya refugees and their host community.
At the beginning of the global pandemic, UK aid committed over USD 1 million in additional support for WHO in Bangladesh to scale up health sector preparedness, response and coordination against COVID-19. This includes increasing isolation and treatment capacity, providing technical guidance on the ground, providing essential medical supplies and equipment as well as capacity building to health workers and volunteers.
During the virtual meeting with the WHO team and development partners, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, UK Secretary of State for International Development, said “Coronavirus is the biggest public health emergency in a generation. UK aid is committed to helping Bangladesh and the Rohingya people through this devastating crisis.
“Today I’ve seen some incredible international work across the country and in Cox’s Bazar to stop the spread of coronavirus and improve healthcare. The UK is proud to play our role and support the World Health Organization in Bangladesh, so we can help save lives and protect those in need.
“I am grateful to the Government and people of Bangladesh for their extraordinary generosity and support for the Rohingya refugees.”
In light of the serious health threats presented through overcrowded living conditions in the camps urgently needed preparedness activities have been rolled out to prevent, detect and respond to transmission of COVID-19.
“Support from UK aid allowed us to considerably increase the activities for mitigating the effects of COVID-19 in the camps, to better protect one of the world’s most vulnerable population and address healthcare needs that exceed the capacities of the existing health system in Cox’s Bazar,” said Dr Kai von Harbou, WHO Head of Sub Office in Cox’s Bazar.
With UK support, WHO assisted the IEDCR Field Laboratory in Cox’s Bazar to increase the testing capacity of COVID-19 from around 100 tests per day to over 500, ensuring the necessary medical supplies and equipment. In addition, to meet anticipated health needs, WHO has mobilized partners to establish over 1000 beds in and around the camps capable of providing treatment for severe cases of COVID-19.
Furthermore, WHO enhanced the disease surveillance system to identify new cases and increased contact tracing in the camps. WHO has trained over 300 volunteers to identify contacts of confirmed cases, refer them for testing and quarantine and thereby limiting the spread of the virus in the camps.
WHO has also trained hundreds of health workers on infection prevention and control, including for the use of personal protective equipment, and conducted site assessments and training sessions for camp health facilities to keep both patients and staff safe. WHO has further undertaken capacity building for hundreds of health workers on evidence based case management for health facilities from health posts up to ICU level.
UK aid support also ensured that critical healthcare services, including mental health, are not interrupted during the pandemic or due to the monsoon and cyclone in the refugee camps. Essential health logistics have been prepositioned in warehouses and containers in Ukhia and Teknaf as well as in the camps to ensure rapid access to life-saving supplies - in case of disruptions in the regular routes due to weather conditions.
The UK has been supporting WHO’s activities in Cox’s Bazar since 2017, contributing to the response with provision of health intelligence, medical supplies and equipment, capacity building, and human resources, including emergency medical teams.
“WHO and UK aid have been working together for many years to strengthen health system in Bangladesh, addressing climate change challenges and scaling up health emergency preparedness. In Cox’s Bazar WHO is coordinating and supporting health partners to deliver uninterrupted and quality healthcare services to the Rohingyas and their host community in Cox’s Bazar and the UK has been alongside us since the early phases of the crisis.” commented Dr Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative in Bangladesh, on the partnership between WHO and the UK for Cox’s Bazar health emergency.
WHO and its partners have been providing life-saving health services to more than 1 million people living in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Since the mass influx of Rohingyas in Bangladesh, WHO and humanitarian agencies have succeeded in averting excess mortality due to communicable-disease outbreaks and in responding to the many health needs of women, men, girls and boys. The refugee population remains extremely vulnerable and face significant challenges related to disease outbreaks, mass casualties, and disruption of basic services. Continued investment in strengthening health systems is vital to sustain the achievements, mitigate the impact on the host community and increase resilience for the future.
This project is funded with UK aid from the British people.