About Medair
Each life matters - Medair responds to public health emergencies including population displacements, outbreaks, and situations of high morbidity and mortality in order to prevent and reduce unnecessary morbidity, mortality and disability in populations affected by emergencies.
Committed to a people-centred approach which builds upon pre-existing health systems, Medair trains and coaches local health care teams to implement Ministry of Health established standard operating procedures and guidelines. The NGO also advocates for context-based adaptations in line with international guidelines and evidence-based practices where needed.
It is our privilege to partner with communities to deliver high quality lifesaving health services.
Dr Wendy Dyment, Global Health Team Lead, Medair (2019)
Medair in action
Restoring health services in Hawiga, Iraq
Large areas of northern Iraq have seen their health facilities damaged, destroyed or plundered. Before the interruption of its activities in 2014, the Riyadh clinic in the Hawiga district (Kirkuk governorate) delivered services to 85,000 people. However, three years under armed groups’ control stripped the clinic of both furniture and equipment, causing a dramatic gap in the delivery of essential health care services in the region.
Medair set out to restore the Riyadh clinic and reactivate its services back to its pre-crisis levels. Building on the pre-existing system, the NGO provided essential supplies, equipment and furniture as well as staffing support to allow this primary health care centre to offer services. Furthermore Medair, as a Health Cluster partner and sub-Cluster co-coordinator, worked closely with other partners working in the area to advocate for higher level medical supplies - including X-ray facilities, dental and advanced obstetric equipment.
@Medair /Amy Van Drunen
Dr Ali during a consultation at the Riyadh clinic
Dr Ali during a consultation at the Riyadh clinic
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Credits
With the delivery of long-lasting impact at the centre of its strategy, Medair also worked to strengthen capacity in Hawiga. “For me providing education is invaluable. Yes, we can go somewhere and provide health care but we also want to provide a lasting benefit.” said Dr Katie Flew, Health Manager in Kirkuk. Trainings offered by the NGO and partners provided the necessary tools for Medair’s local workforce to use and run the facility in prevision of its withdrawal.
Two years on, Medair plans to hand over the primary care service provision to the Directorate of Health (DoH) at the end of 2019. The NGO currently works with partners to organize support to the DoH as well as provision of indirect services after its withdrawal. With more than 19,000 consultations over a single year in Hawiga, the reactivation of the Riyadh clinic is a promising step towards long-lasting improvements in the district’s healthcare system.
Health Cluster engagement
Iraq
Kirkuk, sub-national co-Coordinator
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Beni, sub-national co-Coordinator Bunia, sub-national co-Coordinator