Reconstruction of health service in Bam

As the result of the earthquake the lifelines in Bam, including public health services, totally broke down in the first 24-48 hrs. The Iranian authorities responded swiftly and organized an immediate massive relief operation, nonetheless, due to enormity of the disaster, appealed to the international community for assistance. WHO responded immediately to a request for support, providing emergency funds as well as elaborating the present framework aimed at an in depth assessment of needs for medium-term rehabilitation of health as an integral component of the overall reconstruction. The expanded Government/WHO collaboration on development of Joint Country Cooperation Strategy was also an opportunity for an in-depth review of the health sector and for applying innovative approaches in health and health technologies. Bam District was chosen for implementing these innovations, as a model to be further refined and expanded in the whole country.