The Kosovo Crisis

Some extracts, up until early May 1999, from the World Health Organisation’s Web site on health problems in the Balkans. The site is being regularly updated and may be of interest to NewsShare readers.

Vaccination programmes in Albania
About 68% vaccination coverage for measles, about 53% for polio. In a joint effort, WHO, UNICEF, the national health facilities and other agencies conducted a six-day immunization campaign in Kukes district (northern Albania). The total number of children immunized against measles was about 24,669 while the total against polio was about 11,122. The target group was all children (Kosovar and Albanian) between the ages of 6 months and 12 years. The vaccination campaign is now continuing in Has district (close to Kukes) that also has many refugees. (3 May 1999)

Communicable diseases among refugees in Macedonia
Suspected cases of measles were not confirmed by WHO field laboratory investigation. However, enhanced surveillance for measles is highly recommended. There is an increased prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases due to inadequate sanitary conditions. (3 May 1999)

Counselling amoung refugees
A team of WHO mental health experts will arrive in Albania at the beginning of May to initiate counselling activities in the refugee camps. They will train volunteers from among the refugees themselves, health workers and NGOs. WHO kits containing essential drugs to cover the needs of 2000 mental health patients for six months will be sent to Albania shortly.

The Ministry of Health of Serbia reports more than 4,000 wounded civilians, 18 damaged district hospitals and 15 primary health centres since the start of the crisis (not confirmed by independent sources). WHO is sending new emergency health kits to Belgrade to meet the needs of a population of 100,000 people for three months, and TB kits for the treatment of 250 patients.

Diarrhoea outbreaks
Frequent outbreaks of diarrhoeal diseases, including cholera, have occurred in the past in Albania and the surrounding areas. In order to be prepared for possible outbreaks among refugees, WHO will pre-position stocks of necessary drugs and supplies. In the immediate future, epidemic response kits will be sent to Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to treat 1500 and 1000 cases of severe diarrhoea respectively. (29 April 1999)

Tuberculosis
WHO – in collaboration with the national tuberculosis programme of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and international organizations – is in the process of developing guidelines for the management of tuberculosis patients among the refugees in the camps whose treatment has been interrupted. The national health authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia report the following current shortages: anaesthetics, antibiotics, anti-cancer drugs, tranquilizers, anti-tuberculosis drugs, HIV tests, microbiological tests and surgical sutures. (28 April 1999)

Non-communicable diseases
Diabetes, asthma, hypertension and skin complaints, account for approximately 60% of refugee outpatient consultations in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Drugs for chronic diseases are greatly needed. (28 April 1999)

Surveillance systems in place for emergency health problems
In collaboration with the national health authorities, WHO has launched a computerized emergency health surveillance system for the refugee population both in Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The system includes reporting forms, case definitions and background documentation outlining the purpose of the surveillance system, rationale for diseases selected and reporting mechanisms.

The WHO global emergency health information system (HINAP) is now also covering the Kosovo crisis and includes a variety of health-related information on Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Information links have been established with relief agencies and health surveillance systems for refugees. (26 April 1999)