Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09AMMAN6
2009-01-04 10:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
MONITORING REFUGEE HEALTH CENTERS IN JORDAN--
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHAM #0006/01 0041033 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 041033Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4064 INFO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 6136 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 4037 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0691
UNCLAS AMMAN 000006
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PRM/ANE
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PREF EAID IZ JO
SUBJECT: MONITORING REFUGEE HEALTH CENTERS IN JORDAN--
PROVIDING SERVICES TO A SMALL PATIENT GROUP
UNCLAS AMMAN 000006
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PRM/ANE
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PREF EAID IZ JO
SUBJECT: MONITORING REFUGEE HEALTH CENTERS IN JORDAN--
PROVIDING SERVICES TO A SMALL PATIENT GROUP
1. (U) Summary: RefCoord and Program Specialist visited
on December 22, three health centers for the benefit of
Iraqis administered by Jordan Red Crescent Society (JRC) on
behalf of three different donors: UNHCR, International
Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and
ECHO. The centers were open, but not all were fully
staffed. In each center, Iraqis made up a significant
proportion of those seeking treatment or having
prescriptions filled. The patients were aware of their
rights and the free services available to them, and had not
been inappropriately asked to pay for services. Staff were
familiar with procedures for processing refugees, and
appeared adequate to meet the demand for services. End
summary.
UNHCR-JRC Health Center--Doctors and UNHCR Supervision
Absent
-------------- --------------
2. (U) The UNHCR-funded Misdar Health center in East Amman
was co-located with the Jordanian Red Crescent Society
hospital. JRC provided medical care and administrative
services. The building was clean and orderly, and
reception staff attended promptly to the clients.
Information on refugee rights, UNHCR registration of other
refugee programs was up to date, and posted in Arabic in
common areas.
3. (SBU) RefCoord visited the center during what UNHCR
identified as high-traffic hours, but neither the UNHCR
officer-in-charge nor the two doctors assigned to treat
Iraqis were present. RefCoord spoke to a JRC doctor who
said one of the UNHCR-funded doctors was on vacation and
the other had not yet arrived at work. JRC Medical
personnel filled in to examine and treat the patients.
Although there were only six patients awaiting treatment,
the hospital staff reported that the center received an
average of 70 Iraqi patients per day, and the staff was
overwhelmed by the work.
IFRC-JRC Health Center Jebel Taj--Good Cooperation with
Other NGOs
-------------- -------------- --------------
4. (U) The Jebel Taj center is located in a mixed
business/residential area, on the first floor of a building
that also houses the PRM-funded International Medical Corps
(IMC)-sponsored clinic. Medical staff reported good
cooperation between the two centers. At the IFRC-supported
Jebel Taj center, more than a dozen Iraqis waited for care.
The center staff reported that between 20 and 30 patients
seek treatment at the center on a daily basis. Doctors
were present and treating patients. The center was clean
and in good repair. The pharmacy was in operation, and
staff carefully documented the issuance of drugs. The
entrances are clearly marked. During RefCoord's visit, a
patient with an injured leg had difficultly negotiating the
stairs. Access to the center for handicapped patients
would be difficult.
IFRC-JRC Marka Health Center--A Busy Center Well Staffed
-------------- -------------- --------------
5. (SBU) At the Marka Clinic, RefCoord met with Dr. Abu
Farha, who was employed by JRC in East Amman. Dr. Farha
had served Iraqis in more than one health center, and had
an overview of how Iraqis used health services in Amman.
He said the Marka clinic received an average of 20 to 30
patients per day. He said that the bulk of his patients
were following treatment regimes for chronic illness and
came for prescription drugs. The building was clean and in
good repair. Six Iraqi patients visited the clinic during
RefCoord's visit. Dr. Farha said that he sees Iraqi
patients at more than one center, and he noticed that some
patients "abuse" the free medication available to them by
filling prescriptions repeatedly at more than one center.
He said, however, that this fraud was not widespread and
did not effect operations.
6. (U) Comment: These three visits were follow-ups to
earlier visits to the same health centers. The numbers of
clients visiting the clinics seemed consistent with NGO/IO
reporting. The numbers of medical staff on hand appeared
to be sufficient to deal with the demand for services. End
comment.
Visit AmmanQs Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman
BEECROFT
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PRM/ANE
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PREF EAID IZ JO
SUBJECT: MONITORING REFUGEE HEALTH CENTERS IN JORDAN--
PROVIDING SERVICES TO A SMALL PATIENT GROUP
1. (U) Summary: RefCoord and Program Specialist visited
on December 22, three health centers for the benefit of
Iraqis administered by Jordan Red Crescent Society (JRC) on
behalf of three different donors: UNHCR, International
Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and
ECHO. The centers were open, but not all were fully
staffed. In each center, Iraqis made up a significant
proportion of those seeking treatment or having
prescriptions filled. The patients were aware of their
rights and the free services available to them, and had not
been inappropriately asked to pay for services. Staff were
familiar with procedures for processing refugees, and
appeared adequate to meet the demand for services. End
summary.
UNHCR-JRC Health Center--Doctors and UNHCR Supervision
Absent
-------------- --------------
2. (U) The UNHCR-funded Misdar Health center in East Amman
was co-located with the Jordanian Red Crescent Society
hospital. JRC provided medical care and administrative
services. The building was clean and orderly, and
reception staff attended promptly to the clients.
Information on refugee rights, UNHCR registration of other
refugee programs was up to date, and posted in Arabic in
common areas.
3. (SBU) RefCoord visited the center during what UNHCR
identified as high-traffic hours, but neither the UNHCR
officer-in-charge nor the two doctors assigned to treat
Iraqis were present. RefCoord spoke to a JRC doctor who
said one of the UNHCR-funded doctors was on vacation and
the other had not yet arrived at work. JRC Medical
personnel filled in to examine and treat the patients.
Although there were only six patients awaiting treatment,
the hospital staff reported that the center received an
average of 70 Iraqi patients per day, and the staff was
overwhelmed by the work.
IFRC-JRC Health Center Jebel Taj--Good Cooperation with
Other NGOs
-------------- -------------- --------------
4. (U) The Jebel Taj center is located in a mixed
business/residential area, on the first floor of a building
that also houses the PRM-funded International Medical Corps
(IMC)-sponsored clinic. Medical staff reported good
cooperation between the two centers. At the IFRC-supported
Jebel Taj center, more than a dozen Iraqis waited for care.
The center staff reported that between 20 and 30 patients
seek treatment at the center on a daily basis. Doctors
were present and treating patients. The center was clean
and in good repair. The pharmacy was in operation, and
staff carefully documented the issuance of drugs. The
entrances are clearly marked. During RefCoord's visit, a
patient with an injured leg had difficultly negotiating the
stairs. Access to the center for handicapped patients
would be difficult.
IFRC-JRC Marka Health Center--A Busy Center Well Staffed
-------------- -------------- --------------
5. (SBU) At the Marka Clinic, RefCoord met with Dr. Abu
Farha, who was employed by JRC in East Amman. Dr. Farha
had served Iraqis in more than one health center, and had
an overview of how Iraqis used health services in Amman.
He said the Marka clinic received an average of 20 to 30
patients per day. He said that the bulk of his patients
were following treatment regimes for chronic illness and
came for prescription drugs. The building was clean and in
good repair. Six Iraqi patients visited the clinic during
RefCoord's visit. Dr. Farha said that he sees Iraqi
patients at more than one center, and he noticed that some
patients "abuse" the free medication available to them by
filling prescriptions repeatedly at more than one center.
He said, however, that this fraud was not widespread and
did not effect operations.
6. (U) Comment: These three visits were follow-ups to
earlier visits to the same health centers. The numbers of
clients visiting the clinics seemed consistent with NGO/IO
reporting. The numbers of medical staff on hand appeared
to be sufficient to deal with the demand for services. End
comment.
Visit AmmanQs Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman
BEECROFT