The World Health Organization and health partners in the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, have been working around the clock to scale up measures to protect the refugees and their host communities from COVID-19 as it spreads.
WHO has trained over 300 volunteers on contact tracing using Go.Data software to allow for efficient and effective contact tracing of people who have been in contact with confirmed positive cases.
To scale up diagnostic confirmation of COVID-19 cases in Cox’s Bazar, WHO has provided necessary equipment, supplies, personnel and technical guidance to the Field Laboratory of Bangladesh’s Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR). The laboratory now tests over 500 samples of COVID-19 each day from the camps as well as the host population of Cox’s Bazar and neighbouring districts.
WHO has also trained over 1000 health personnel as well as those from other sectors of the government and humanitarian agencies in Cox’s Bazar on infection prevention and control and continues to provide supportive on-site supervision.
With technical support from WHO, partners are setting up isolation and treatment centres with over 1000 extra beds for patients with severe acute respiratory infections in the camps.
WHO has also trained over 250 health personnel in Cox’s Bazar district on clinical case management of COVID-19 to ensure treatment protocol is in line with recommended guidelines and meets minimum standards.
WHO and health sector partners have also taken action to overcome challenges posed by low literacy and the Rohingya language’s lack of written script; for example, conveying crucial information through community health volunteers, community leaders, mike services in the camps and radio programs.
Beyond the COVID-19 response, ensuring that the most vulnerable population have access to and use critical healthcare services is a priority for WHO. The immunization strategy in the camp is being revised to ensure vaccinations continue in order to prevent another potential communicable disease outbreak. WHO also continues to monitor the risks of water borne and vector borne diseases and support partners in prevention and management activities.
Technical assistance in mental health and psychosocial support, sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence is being increased to minimize the adverse impacts of COVID-19 to the extent possible for those in lockdown, isolation or quarantine.