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Rehabilitating Public Health Infrastructure in the Post-Conflict Setting: Epidemic Prevention and Preparedness in Kosovo

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Richard J. Brennan ,
Camilo Valderrama ,
William R. MacKenzie ,
Kamal Raj  and
Robin Nandy
Richard J. Brennan*
Affiliation:
Health Unit, International Rescue Committee, New York, New York, USA
Camilo Valderrama
Affiliation:
Health Unit, International Rescue Committee, New York, New York, USA
William R. MacKenzie
Affiliation:
Health Unit, International Rescue Committee, New York, New York, USA
Kamal Raj
Affiliation:
Health Unit, International Rescue Committee, New York, New York, USA
Robin Nandy
Affiliation:
Health Unit, International Rescue Committee, New York, New York, USA
*
Director, Health Unit, International Rescue Committee, 122 East 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10168, USA[email protected]
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Abstract

The war in Kosovo in 1999 resulted in the displacement of up to 1.5 million persons from their homes. On the subsequent return of the refugees and internally displaced persons, one of the major challenges facing the local population and the international community, was the rehabilitation of Kosovo's public health infrastructure, which had sustained enormous damage as a result of the fighting. Of particular importance was the need to develop a system of epidemic prevention and preparedness. But no single agency had the resources or capacity to implement such a program. Therefore, a unique six-point model was developed as a collaboration between the Kosovo Institute of Public Health, the World Health Organization, and an international, nongovernmental organization. Important components of the program included a major Kosovo-wide baseline health survey, the development of a provincewide public health surveillance system, rehabilitation of microbiology laboratories, and the development of a local capacity for epidemic response. While all program objectives were met, important lessons were learned concerning the planning, design, and implementation of such a project. This program represents a model that potentially could be replicated in other post-conflict or development settings.

Keywords

complex emergenciesdesignepidemichealthinfectious diseasesKosovomodelplanningpreparednesspreventionpost-conflictpublic healthrefugeeswarWorld Health Organization
Type
Part 1. Complex Emergencies: Lessons Learned
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 16 , Special Issue 4: Complex Emergencies , December 2001 , pp. 244 - 251
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2001

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References

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