The Philippines is the world's 12th most populous country and has the highest birth rate in Asia. The country is made up of 7,106 islands, contributing to the isolation of large sections of the population from basic services. A large part of the country is mountainous, and the presence of 20 active volcanoes means that earthquakes and eruptions are fairly commonplace. Regular typhoons also pose a high risk to lives and the country's infrastructure.
In 2009 a series of powerful tropical storms and cyclones damaged or destroyed large parts of the already weak health system on Luzon Island in the north of the Philippines, leaving millions in urgent need of health care, and the health system in need of long-term rehabilitation.
Emergency response
In October 2009, Merlin launched an emergency response to the severe flooding and landslides caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma. The storms caused more than $30m worth of damage to health facilities and affected 8.4m people, with 250,000 being forced to stay in evacuation centres.
After coordinating with the Department of Health, UN agencies and other partners, Merlin identified Rizal province and the areas of Binangonan and Cardona, with a particular focus on Talim Island in Lake Laguna, as the most severely affected by the typhoon and the most in need of health care assistance.
The communities in this area are isolated, many have no roads and are only accessible by boat. Flood waters which remained for many months after the storm passed made travel to health facilities very difficult or impossible. As a result communities have faced a serious lack of access to basic health, drinking water and sanitation services.
HOW MERLIN IS HELPING
Training health workers
Merlin has given in-depth training to 25 midwives and nurses, and provided each midwife with their own midwifery kit containing vital medical equipment for the care of mothers and their new babies. One mother, whose baby was delivered by a Merlin-trained midwife, was so grateful for the care she received she named her daughter "Princess Merlin."
25 health staff have also been trained in diagnosis and treatment, and midwives will receive training in life-saving emergency obstetric skills.
Merlin has trained a further 179 volunteer community health workers to provide essential care, and diagnose and treat common diseases. Community health workers are also trained to promote health and hygiene issues by delivering health education campaigns to their communities, who would otherwise have no access to health facilities.
Throughout 2010 all midwives and community health workers will continue to be trained on a specific health topic each month.
Providing medical equipment
A standard health kit containing basic medicine and equipment is provided for each health clinic, and basic furniture has been distributed to all refurbished facilities according to need.
In addition two ambulance boats in Gulod and in Subay will be purchased.
Rehabilitation
Many health facilities on Talim Island were affected by flood waters which caused severe damage. Merlin has repaired clinics and equipped them with essential equipment and supplies to meet the needs of the local population.
A clinic in Gulod has been renovated and will open as an accredited BEMONC (Basic Emergency Maternal and Obstetric Neonatal Care) Rural Health Unit in August. A doctor is also being recruited in partnership with the Department of Health, the Municipality. After three months, Merlin and the Municipality will take over paying the salary to ensure continued health care.
Water, sanitation and hygiene
During the second phase of our response, we will conduct testing for water quality of village wells and treat those that are contaminated. Community water authorities will be trained in emergency water treatment and the fast distribution of water treatment chemicals to community households, in case of an emergency. We will also carry out clean up campaigns and construct waste disposal systems.
Key achievements
- 29 health clinics serving 47,000 people have been rehabilitated and provided with vital equipment and supplies
- 25 health workers are being trained in disease diagnosis and treatment, and mother and child health care
- 179 volunteer community health workers are providing essential health care and education to their communities
Donors supporting Merlin's work
DEC, Man Group |