Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for the presentation. There is no doubt about the challenging and very demanding nature of the work of the WHO. Its staff are facing new challenges in Syria, with the migration of the people from Syria which is adding to the difficulties of the countries that are taking in the Syrian refugees. The Ebola virus is also causing difficulties. No doubt migration has played a role in the spread of the virus. I would like to hear their views on the way the virus is being treated. There are concerns that when people who have the virus and are moved out of their communities to a so-called treatment centre, it is almost like their death warrant has been signed. It is managing the illness as opposed to really getting to treat it with the hope of recovery. We are seeing far more deaths from the Ebola virus than there should be.

I am aware that much of the funding goes to the major NGOs but how much is trickling down to the local community groups who are active on the ground in the community and have direct contact with the people? They are much more effective with people who are in danger of contracting the Ebola virus and could prevent the disease from spreading further.

We must address women's safety before we can talk about women's health. We know from migrant women that their safety is very much at risk at times. HIV-AIDS, the story of the time for so long, has disappeared off the agenda in certain areas. We know it is still a major factor and migration contributes to that. There are a great number of men who have to move from their country to work in mines and who then contract HIV-AIDS and bring it back to their home.

I am involved with a group of polio survivors in Dublin. The WHO talks about eradicating polio, but what level of support is being provided for the survivors of polio? This one of the areas that the WHO deals with.

When we speak about health we tend to concentrate on physical health with mental health having lower priority. However, we should give equal concern to mental health issues.