Health Cluster/MHPS Sub-Cluster Meeting Minutes (22 December 2009)

2- Main Discussion Points:

Actions Taken/Progress
 Agenda item 1
On H1N1, Dr. Matari informed participants that the awareness campaign continues, the competition between schools started, and only four schools did not pass the evaluation. UNRWA will conduct this competition in all its schools in Lebanon.

Dr. Matari resumed asking participants about their opinion concerning applying the H1N1 awareness campaign evaluation in the nurseries of NBC and BC. Participants suggested that prior doing this, NGOs should be engaged in the evaluation committee, so it was decided that UNRWA attend the meeting of the NGO health committee in NBC to share this ideas with NGOs.

 Agenda item 2
Dr. Matari along with Dr. Ghaddar of UPP circulated the unified referral form to be adopted, and the list of specialists. Dr. Ghaddar explained to participants the usage of the form when referring patients. Once adopted, the form will be under testing period.

 Agenda item 3
UNRC is in the process of updating the Action Plan and will conduct joint-visits with the cluster lead to all cluster participants in the coming weeks to complete the updates.

 Agenda item 4
Mr. Ahmad Daoud raised the outstanding issue of the mental health referral mechanism. Participants agreed that a medical card for mental health patients be developed. Dr. Matari, Mr. Daoud, and Dr. Ghaddar will work on a draft of the card which should be ready by January 2010.

 Agenda item 5

Ms. Sajda Hussein attended the meeting representing the CPN (Child Protection Network) and she raised the following points:
• The waste in the streets is causing hygiene problems in the camp, especially in areas surrounding UNRWA schools. Dr. Matari promised to follow-up with the person in charge, and he stressed the need for awareness campaigns for the general population.
• Ms. Hussein asked UNRWA to provide treatments to eliminate lice widespread among children. Dr. Matari responded that UNRWA is providing treatment for all infected children. And added that he is always following the indicators such as purchase of lice treatments from pharmacies to monitor any epidemic.
• Ms. Hussein asked Dr. Matari if it is possible that a MD visit the kindergartens to check on the babies. He said that Dr. Nasser of UNRWA in coordination with Palestinian Union for Doctors and Pharmacists will conduct these visits.

Issues Requiring Follow-up
• UNRWA to discuss the H1N1 evaluation for kindergartens with the health committee in their meeting on Thursday 24 Dec 2009.
• UPP will share the referral form, and list of specialists with UNRC for circulation to the cluster participants.
• UNRC along with UNRWA to update Health Action Plan
• CBRA, UNRWA, and UPP to draft a medical card for Mental Health and meet to discuss it.
• Cluster lead to call for a working group meeting on the H1N1 referral guide
• Concern about NBC children’s poor dental health condition. Suggested strategy the all dental awareness campaigns should also target parents (home visits)