Baghdad, 24 October 2016 – WHO and Ninewa Directorate of Health have urgently reacted to treat over 1000 cases of suffocation arrived at Qayarra, Ijhala, and Makhmour primary health care centres as of this morning 23 October 2016 caused by the continued sulfur plumes resulting from the burning of Al Mishraq sulfur factory north of Qayarra district in Ninewa governorate.
4 ambulances were provided by the Ministry of Health to operate in Qayara, in addition to 2 ambulances deployed by Ninewa Directorate of Health and WHO to assist in transferring and referring cases from the factory location to adjacent health centres for emergency intervention. Masks and oxygen bottles were urgently requested by the health authorities in the area.
“We are deeply concerned about the safety of people in Qayarra and recommend rescue service teams, police, and medical first responders to use personal protective equipment as possible,” said Altaf Musani WHO Representative to Iraq. “We are working hand in hand with the national health authorities to contain this environmental danger and provide the timely urgent response needed to manage the health consequences of such danger,” he added.
The 2 primary health care centres managed by Women and Health Alliance International and supported by WHO in Qayara and Ijhala, reported the arrival of over 1000 cases suffering from suffocation. Other cases with similar symptoms were also reported last Friday in the village of Haj Ali. Face masks and hydrocortisone injections were dispatched to the primary health care centres for protection and treatment of emergency cases.
WHO, in light of this environmental danger and the lack of availability of self-contained breathing apparatus supplying oxygen, advises to avoid inhaling the smoke and seek immediate medical care if feeling unwell.
For more information, please contact:
Ajyal Sultany
Communications Officer
+964 7510101469
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Baghdad, 24 October 2016 – WHO and Ninewa Directorate of Health have urgently reacted to treat over 1000 cases of suffocation arrived at Qayarra, Ijhala, and Makhmour primary health care centres as of this morning 23 October 2016 caused by the continued sulfur plumes resulting from the burning of Al Mishraq sulfur factory north of Qayarra district in Ninewa governorate.
4 ambulances were provided by the Ministry of Health to operate in Qayara, in addition to 2 ambulances deployed by Ninewa Directorate of Health and WHO to assist in transferring and referring cases from the factory location to adjacent health centres for emergency intervention. Masks and oxygen bottles were urgently requested by the health authorities in the area.
“We are deeply concerned about the safety of people in Qayarra and recommend rescue service teams, police, and medical first responders to use personal protective equipment as possible,” said Altaf Musani WHO Representative to Iraq. “We are working hand in hand with the national health authorities to contain this environmental danger and provide the timely urgent response needed to manage the health consequences of such danger,” he added.
The 2 primary health care centres managed by Women and Health Alliance International and supported by WHO in Qayara and Ijhala, reported the arrival of over 1000 cases suffering from suffocation. Other cases with similar symptoms were also reported last Friday in the village of Haj Ali. Face masks and hydrocortisone injections were dispatched to the primary health care centres for protection and treatment of emergency cases.
WHO, in light of this environmental danger and the lack of availability of self-contained breathing apparatus supplying oxygen, advises to avoid inhaling the smoke and seek immediate medical care if feeling unwell.
For more information, please contact:
Ajyal Sultany
Communications Officer
+964 7510101469
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
