PHA-Exchange> Report on PHM-Iran's Activities by Dr. Barzegar

[Claudio]

Report on PHM-Iran's Activities
After Excellent preparation for the CSDH Commissioner's meeting in Tehran, January 2006 a good consensus was built in civil societies community in Iran. The preparation step started with circulation of  a six pages document about the Goal and Strategy of the commission after being exposed to the Cyprus CSDH Regional meeting including: why the CSDH Commission was initiated by the DG WHO, what is the Organization and set-up of the commission, Who are the Commissioner(from the Government & PHM),What are the 9 Themes proposed by Knowledge Network of the Commission, and finally what recommendation is expected that the C commission may make to the authorities of the country. The document was faxed to about 60 NGOS in Tehran and provinces with an invitation for a meeting with the following objectives:
1. Knowing each other, especially those NGOs who are interested to work for any of the 9 Themes
2. Identify the national programs and responsible partners of social determinants of health;
3. Propose strategies for the working together;
4. Identify the priorities of 9 Themes in country situation, and strategy for its implementation;
5. To plan for networking of the civil societies of the country;
6. If agreed to propose a two years working plan in relation to the 9 Themes.
About 45 NGOs attended the meeting and it last about 7 hours. Request came from the flour for the second meeting for at the same place and same hours in next week, and was agreed. The second meeting has identified the priority areas of the 9 Themes according to the country situation and 10 representatives were elected from 10 NGOs to attend the Commissioners meeting and attended. After the CSDH meeting in Tehran I had circulated again a 5 pages document containing the procedures of the CSDH Meeting with more emphasize on the civil society parts and the recommendation of the CSDH to the authorities in the closing session of the CSDH meeting chaired by the First Deputy President. After that we had several meeting with civil societies for the networking porpose.5 representatives were elected(including myself), to work for the preparation of the procedure, rules and regulation of the Network, and making partnership with the Government related sectors and international country offices and Commissioner for the development of the National Commission. Also the Director General of the Ministry of Health requested a proposal for the National Commission in order to be represented in the High Council of health headed by the president of the country. The preparation phase was reported in the second CSDH Regional meeting in Cairo followed by the CSDH Global Meeting, in which another document was prepared in Farsi and circulated to NGOS in regard to Mapping of NGOs and identifying the weakness and strength and develop strategy for the Intervention. Also the document contained: Advocacy, Learning and Action.
The committee for poverty Alleviation & Empowerment of PHM Iran extended its program to a Slum (Geddo) area of the Amol city in Caspian Sea area called Dabbagh-Chall, Amol district in addition to coastal and mountainous rural areas. The Geddo area is very disprevilage area, for example the IMR is about 100/1000 live birth while the country IMR is 26/1000,or the Crud death rate is about 65/1000,while the national rate is about 10.Large percent of the children of the Geddo area are not attending school even those higher that school age. Also a lot of adult men and women areIllitrate.The addiction rate is so high about 39% in male and 6% in female. Unemployment rate is so high, and is the first priority according to the people needs assessment study by themselves with support of PHM team.
The priority problems of the area as assessed by the people are as follow:
1. Unemployment;
2. Lack of piped water, Electricity, Gas, and sport facilities;
3. Public Health specially Environmental sanitation;
4. Housing
5. Drug Abuse and addiction.
6. Lack of school for children and Illiteracy in Adult.
After several meetings at district commissioner office with presence of head of the different sectors concerned we have started three classes for children as well as literacy campaign for the illiterate adults. For the Drug abuse I have visited the Narconon Programme in Italy and we are initiating their practical method of Harm Reduction and Detoxification programme as a pilot in about 25 addicts. The programme benefits from Natural vitamins, Sport (mainly jagging) and Sona without using Methadon which is very expensive and also very difficult to stop.
For the Unemployment we have received about Us$ 500,000.00 from the Ministry of welfare for providing soft loans to people for Job creation. We are collecting income generation programmes like, carpet weaning, Black Smiths project, artificial flower making projects and so on from the people. The support came from the Ministry of welfare after organizing a successful one week seminar entitled "Community Based Initiatives for Empowerment and Poverty Reduction". About 60 Officials from 16 provinces and some friends from PHM Iran have attended the seminar. The seminar was organized jointly By Ministry of Welfare, WHO Office Iran, The General of Governorate of Mazendaran Province, The University of Medical Sciences of the Province and PHM Iran (Branch of Mazendaran Province). Participants in addition to theory by lecture and group discussion have visited our BMNs programme in rural areas, where practically observed the empowerment of the people. The one day practical session was completely planned and managed by the community themselves. The statement made by the WHO adviser was as follow: we had several days of theoretical lectures about the Empowerment of the people. Today practically we observed the Empowered people who are proud to say how they have assessed their community needs and prioritized them. How they have developed project and implemented with the support of Intersectorial team(BMNs Team).Also how they have been graduated from the poverty. Of course they were complaining about high interest rate of loan given by Bank to them for the income generation projects which we are negotiating with the national Bank authorities. The Ministry of welfare authorities after visiting the geddo area and rural BMNs programme are considering another support of US$ 500,000.00 directly to PHM Iran. Because the first US$ 500,000.00 was jointly given to the General Governorate office with technically supervision of PHM Iran, but the second one supposed to be given through a direct contract with PHM Iran. The matter is under negotiation with the ministry of Welfare.
As you are aware PHM Iran in addition to numerous pamphlets and leaflets, brochures and articles, have translated a book on poverty, Health and Deveopment.2000 copies of it was sold and distributed for advocacy purpose should mention that HAI kindly provided and supported US$1500.00 for translation and publication of the book in which is highly appreciated. Also a book entiteled "Empowerment and Poverty Reduction has been translated by PHM and is going to be published by the ministry of welfare, who will pay the cost, but as a joint publication of PHM Iran and Ministry of Social Welfare of I.R.OF Iran. I had attended in a seminar of Health Services System "Who will live and who will die" in Savar Bangladesh. Organized by HAI&GK.I have presented a paper on "Poverty, Health and Development" which received well by the participants.
The women Committee of PHM had a successful function on 28 may. A documentary film of an addict who was HIV positive and his wife was infected too, while was pregnant. Then the child was born who was reactive, but not positive, at the end the couple and the one year baby and film maker were present at the scene and responded to the questions of the audiences. The people from Mazendaran province requested the Film be shown in their province. The arrangement was made and about 500 people mainly watched the film. In both occasion I have spoken about, AIDS, Poverty and vulner ability of women. The film has English version and it is strongly recommended in a relevant International or Regional event. The arrangement could be made if desire. A one week symposium about Health promotion was organized by Ministry of Health. A show room of activities was allocated for PHM and the PHM friends distributed PHM charter, and Cuenca Declaration and charter on HIV/AIDS to the visitors of PHM Iran. Also the same practice was done in world AIDS Day organized by Ministry of Health.
Recently a Workshop was organized under the title "Confidence Building between Government and Civil Societies. I have introduced the CSDH concept and the idea of formation of National Commission and it was well received. But I need some support from dear Alaa in order to a good proposal based on good example of Brazil or any other country prepare a sound proposal for approval of Ministry of Health and High Council of Health headed by Excellency the president of the country. I assume this could be done during the Interim Steering Council, Cairo 3-5 November 2006.Even it is required I can stay one, or two days more for the purpose.
As I have mentioned in my previous mail PHM Iran was very supportive along with the government of Iran in supporting the Victorious Resistant of Great people of Lebanon and Palestine, through condemnation of Israel and advocacy for stopping the war, and taking part in Demonstrations, and solidarity messages to Dr. Jihad and Dr. Ghassan copy to Global secretariat.
Also as you are well a ware 3 persons from PHM Iran attended IPHU Course and PHAII, Cuenca Ecuador. PHM Iran had some relief action in recent earthquake of Lorestan province of Iran. As you are aware PHM Iran mediated and has raised about 200,000.00 Euro from Action Aid Bangkok with kind support of Unni and jointly with nursing organization of Iran have delivered quite good Psychological rehabilitation in earthquake affected areas of BAM city. The evolution has shown very successful impact especially in regard to victim's satisfaction. I should thank all of PHM friends in Iran and good support and advised received from Dear Ravi, Hani, Alaa, Prem, Fran, Claudio, David Legge, and Zafrullah in which without their support and advise we were not able to do the above mentioned work. Also once again I would like to thank Dr. Bala for financial support for publication of the book. 
Also we are trying to expand our activities and branches to other provinces, in addition to Tehran and Caspian Sea areas. But we faced some difficulties this year that I will discuss with you while in Cairo.
I have the pleasure to report you that I have been selected as one of those people who for their significant work like PHC of Iran and Basic Minimum Needs Programme (BMNs); The Government of Iran awarded me the Shield of "CHEHRE MANDEGAR". That means the person will remain always alive with its impact on the life of the people of the country. Also I have been appointed as special advisor to the Chanseller of the Medical Sciences University of Mazendran Province.
With warmest regards
Dr. M.A. Barzegar, PHM Iran.

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