¿Sistemas de salud resilientes para países ya resilientes? Los discursos de la pandemia en la era post COVID-19 / Resilient health systems for already resilient countries? Pandemic discourses in the post-COVID-19 era

Resumen El objetivo fue reconstruir y analizar los discursos de la pandemia en la era post-COVID-19. La metodología se basó en una revisión crítica de la literatura científica sobre la pandemia, seleccionándose entre una muestra de los 500 artículos científicos más citados en Google Scholar sobre la pandemia, a 80 artículos de carácter no biomédico, clínico o farmacológico, publicados en revistas indexadas en Scopus o Web of Science. El abordaje teórico se basó en los debates sobre predictibilidad e impredecibilidad, determinación e indeterminación, en las ciencias de la salud y ciencias sociales. Como resultado se identificaron y analizaron seis tesis sobre la pandemia: a) la tesis de la impredecibilidad de las pandemias; b) la tesis negacionista de la pandemia; c) la tesis de la pandemia como falla en los sistemas de predictibilidad; d) la tesis de la prevención de eventos catastróficos con intervenciones puntuales; e) la tesis de la postergación estructural de la atención de predicciones por los países no desarrollados; y f) la tesis ecologista-sanitaria, de previsión de una fase crítica para el planeta y la humanidad. Se concluyó sobre los límites de la resiliencia como centro en la preparación de los sistemas de salud de Latinoamérica en la post-pandemia.

Abstract This study aimed to reconstruct and analyze the discourses of the pandemic in the post-COVID-19 era. The methodology was based on a critical review of the scientific literature on the pandemic, selecting 80 non-biomedical, clinical, or pharmacological articles published in journals indexed in Scopus or Web of Science from a sample of the 500 most cited scientific articles on the pandemic in Google Scholar. The theoretical approach was based on the debates on predictability, unpredictability, determination, and indeterminacy in the health and social sciences. As a result, six theses on the pandemic were identified and analyzed: a) the thesis of the unpredictability of pandemics; b) the thesis of pandemic denial; c) the thesis of the pandemic as a failure in predictability systems; d) the thesis of the prevention of catastrophic events with timely interventions; e) the thesis of the structural postponement of predictive care by non-developed countries; and f) the environmentalist-health thesis, of foreseeing a critical phase for the planet and humanity. We concluded on the limits of resilience as the center in preparing Latin American health systems in the post-pandemic.

Development of “Moroca” as a Learning Media for Reproductive Health Services in Disaster Situations

@#Introduction: Due to its geographical, geological, and demographic conditions, Indonesia is facing the risks of natural disasters such as floods, landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Midwives as health workers have a strategic role as providers of reproductive health services, including in disaster situations. This study aims to develop learning media for reproductive health services in a disaster situation based on the monopoly game. Methods: The research employed research and development (R&D) design. The development of learning media for reproductive health services in disaster situations is based on the monopoly game, which consists of the following steps: seeing the potential and problems, data collection, product design, validation by experts, product trials, and product revisions. Results: The learning media is named “Moroca” (Monopoli Kesehatan Reproduksi pada Situasi Bencana / Monopoly of Reproductive Health Services in Disaster Situations). Validation was carried out by two experts and the media was declared feasible and valid for use. The product trial was conducted on 22 students of Midwifery Program. The statistical test used the Wilcoxon test. The results of the analysis showed that there was a significant increase in the level of knowledge about reproductive health services in disaster situations among students after using “Moroca”. Conclusion: Learning media is needed to increase the knowledge and skill of the students. Moroca is can be used as one of the alternative media in education for midwifery students.

Indicators of Nurse Leadership in Disaster Management: A Qualitative study

@#Introduction: Nurses play critical roles in disaster management and are required to demonstrate leadership by dealing with disaster events effectively. This study aimed to identify the nurse leadership indicators at each phase of disaster management. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in two phases between November 2017 -January 2018 at two regional hospitals and one central hospital in Yogyakarta. The first phase involved semi-structured in-depth interviews with seven emergency nurses, and the second was a focus group discussions with five nurses’ managers or lecturers. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data Analyze used a modified version framework method. Results: We found 49 indicators of nurse leadership in disaster management. We grouped indicators into two major groups: common indicators (27 indicators) and specific indicators (22 indicators). Four themes were obtained according to the disaster management phases: nurse leadership in the mitigation phase, the preparedness phase, the response phase, and the recovery/rehabilitation phase. Each theme contains three main sub-themes (3Cs): character, competence, and the central role of the leader. Conclusion: Using the International Council of Nurses (ICN) framework’s disaster phase as a conceptual basis, 49 nurse leadership indicators were identified as potential information for future items candidates of the instrument for measuring nurse leadership in disaster management.

Urban Flood Relief Management in COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: Urban floods were addressed as a separate disaster after the historical 2005 Mumbai floods. Urban flood peaks are 2-8 times and volume 6 times when compared with rural floods. We are now handling multiple disasters simultaneously due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The river plains of north India are prone to floods in the monsoon season and geographical location of Prayagraj doubles the damage because it faces wrath from two sides. Very few researches have been conducted on urban floods and evidence needs to be generated from the field. Methodology: This qualitative research was planned with an objective to identify the difficulties faced in operating an urban flood relief camp during superimposed burden of COVID-19 Pandemic and to suggest remedial measures from the public health aspect. We conducted in-depth interviews of nodal officers, health staff and beneficiaries of the identified camps. Informed consent was taken from participant after explaining them about the research. Results: The findings from the interviews were categorized into 3phases of flood relief i.e. before the floods, during floods and lastly post flood. The most crucial work before floods is to spread awareness about do’s and don’ts in detail. Next was identification of the local people actually affected by flood. The space and facilities at few centers was low for the population load. Urban flood management needs a major overhauling of public health infrastructure to handle such disasters in future. Conclusion: The officials were working hard to make the homeless feel as if they are on a picnic. The database of beneficiaries should be strengthened and should also include students and labourers, anyone who is a flood victim and not only local flood victims.

The role of primary health care (PHC) In disaster management

Introduction: The number of events, either natural or manmade, that can potentially cause disasters, has increased sharply in recent years. Life losses, along with the displacement of millions of people, and the corresponding economic cost, should mobilize international organizations to effectively address the situation, with part of this effort referring to the mobilization and cooperation of all stakeholders involved. An investigation, through literature review, ofObjective: the role of Primary Health Care in disaster management. This assignment is based on a descriptiveMaterial – Method: review. A literature search was performed on the PubMed, Sciencedirect, and Scopus databases focusing on the years 2015-2022. The following keywords were used: Primary health, community health, Home-Based Primary Care, disaster management. No reference was included to the provision of health care outside of primary health care structures. Results: The results can be grouped in two categories. In the first category, an analysis takes place regarding PHC actions in each stage of the disaster management cycle. In the second category, the conditions are listed that should be paid attention to, especially by the political leaders of each country. The World Health Organization,Conclusions: especially in the aftermath of the pandemic of the last two years, has reinstated the critical role of PHC as a cornerstone of solid health systems. At the same time, international organizations that specialize in disaster management focus on reducing risks, as a responsibility that is mostly assigned to communities working together with all organizations involved. Combinedly, it naturally follows that primary health care structures play a leading role in the management of mass events.

Onde estamos e para onde vamos?: notas sobre o exercício profissional de assistentes sociais em desastres / Where are we and where are we going?: notes on the professional practice of social workers in disasters

O presente artigo propõe uma reflexão crítica no que tange ao cha-mamento do Serviço Social para intervenção em desastres, considerando que, majoritariamente, o exercício profissional de assistentes sociais neste campo encontra-se voltado para o atendimento da população após a ocorrência de impactos, o que contribui para o reforço de características presentes na pro-fissão desde a sua gênese, como o caráter subalterno e a ênfase na dimensão técnico-operativa, desvinculada das demais dimensões profissionais. Com base em situações recentes e no levantamento de pesquisas e estudos sobre o tema, são realizados apontamentos que buscam a alteração desta realidade, a partir de um maior alinhamento entre as ações desenvolvidas por assistentes sociais na gestão de desastres e o projeto ético-político que vem sendo construído por segmentos da categoria desde as últimas décadas do século XX

This article proposes a critical reflection regarding the call of the Social Work for intervention in disasters, considering that, mostly, the professional prac-tice of social workers in this field is focused on attending the population after the occurrence of impacts, which contributes to the reinforcement of characteristics present in the profession since its genesis, such as the subordinate character and the emphasis on the technical-operative dimension, unrelated to other profes-sional dimensions. Based on recent situations and the survey of researches and studies on the subject, notes are made that seek to change this reality, from a greater alignment between the actions developed by social workers in disaster management and the ethical-political project that has been built by segments of the category since the last decades of the twentieth century

Preparação e resposta a desastres do Brasil na pandemia da COVID-19 / Preparación y respuesta a desastres de Brasil en la pandemia de COVID-19 / Disaster preparedness and response in Brazil in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic

Resumo Como a crise em saúde pública causada pela pandemia da COVID-19 ajuda a compreender o funcionamento do Sistema Nacional de Proteção e Defesa Civil (SINPDEC) nas fases de preparação e resposta a desastres em saúde no Brasil? A resposta a essa pergunta se dará por meio do seguinte objetivo geral: compreender o funcionamento do SINPDEC no enfrentamento à COVID-19, com ênfase na atuação do Ministério da Saúde (MS), órgão gestor de combate às ameaças em saúde. Para tanto, três objetivos específicos serão explorados: caracterizar a (doença) COVID-19 como evento em saúde pública com potencial causador de desastre, situar os conceitos de preparação e resposta na literatura de governança de desastres e identificar previsões legais e funcionamento da gestão de desastres no Brasil. A despeito das tensões decisórias no âmbito político, a burocracia profissional brasileira conseguiu garantir a ativação do sistema de governança de desastres relativa às fases de preparação e resposta. Contudo, sua ativação não foi suficiente para aplacar a crise, cujo agravamento expõe falhas nas fases de prevenção e mitigação de desastres, bem como a falta de uma resposta ao desastre em âmbito federativo.

Resumen ¿Cómo la crisis de salud pública causada por la pandemia de COVID-19 ayuda a comprender el funcionamiento del Sistema Nacional de Protección y Defensa Civil (SINPDEC) en las fases de preparación y respuesta a desastres de salud en Brasil? La respuesta a esta pregunta se dará mediante el siguiente objetivo general de investigación: comprender el funcionamiento del SINPDEC en el afrontamiento a la COVID-19, con énfasis en el trabajo del Ministerio de Salud, organismo gestor del combate contra las amenazas a la salud. Con este fin, se explorarán tres objetivos específicos: caracterizar la COVID-19 como un evento de salud pública con el potencial de causar un desastre; situar los conceptos de preparación y respuesta en la literatura sobre gestión de desastres; e identificar las predicciones legales y el funcionamiento de la gestión de desastres en Brasil. Se argumenta que, a pesar de las tensiones políticas en la toma de decisiones, la burocracia profesional brasileña logró garantizar la activación del sistema de gestión de desastres relacionado con las fases de preparación y respuesta. Sin embargo, su activación no fue suficiente para aplacar la crisis, cuyo empeoramiento expone fallas en las fases de prevención y mitigación de desastres, así como la falta ‒e importancia‒ de una respuesta al desastre en ámbito federativo.

Abstract This article aims to understand how the National System of Protection and Civil Defense functions in response to COVID-19, with emphasis on the work of the Ministry of Health, which is the body responsible for tackling health threats. Three specific objectives were used: the first characterizes COVID-19 as a public health event that can represent a disaster; the second situates the concepts of preparedness and response in the disaster governance literature; the third identifies the jurisprudence and the functioning of disaster management in Brazil. The findings show that, despite the political decision-making tensions, the Brazilian professional bureaucracy managed to guarantee the activation of the disaster governance system related to the preparation and response phases. However, its activation was not enough to allay the crisis. The severity of the pandemic exposed flaws in the phases of disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as the lack of coordinated government response.

Entre sirenes, rotas de fuga e exercícios de simulação: vida cotidiana sob os riscos de desastres / Between sirens, escape routes, and emergency drills: everyday life under the risk of disaster

RESUMO Este artigo problematiza a disseminação institucional recente de dispositivos para a redução de riscos de desastres - caracterizados pela tríade sirenes, sinalização de rotas de fuga e exercícios simulados de emergência - desde uma perspectiva sociológica e em interface com o olhar antropológico. Parte-se metodologicamente da identificação de nexos significativos entre as noções de vida cotidiana, ordem social e communitas para, então, considerar as modulações entre tais nexos no que tange à (in)viabilização do bem-estar coletivo. Embora apresentados no sistema de proteção e defesa civil como sendo estratégias eficazes ante perigos consideráveis, essa reflexão sugere que tais dispositivos de redução de riscos de desastres cumpram uma finalidade subsidiária. Tratar-se-ia de retirar da sociedade uma visão mais crítica sobre as origens dos processos socioambientais geradores de tais perigos. Ao se indagar acerca do quão efetivo esse conjunto de estratégias padronizadas poderia ser diante das dinâmicas socioambientais complexas dos diferentes contextos comunitários nos quais têm sido replicadas, conclui-se que o efeito prático mais preocupante é o de, progressivamente, converter o medo coletivo de uma possível ocorrência de desastres em um meio pelo qual se buscaria naturalizar uma ordem social baseada em comportamentos sociais dóceis a uma ordem social antidemocrática.

ABSTRACT This article aims to present the problematics of the recent institutional dissemination of a given set of disaster risk reduction strategies, characterized by the triad composed by sirens, escape routes, and emergency drills, using a sociological perspective, in interface with the anthropological view. It begins with the identification of significant links of the notions of everyday life, social order, and communitas. Then, it is analysed the modulations of such links, concerning the (in)practicability of the collective wellbeing. Although these are present in the civil protection and defense system as effective strategies when facing considerable dangers, this reflection suggests that such dispositifs for disaster reduction serve a secondary purpose. That is to hinder from society the critical perspective about the origins of the socioenvironmental processes that generates such dangers. By asking how effective this set of standardized strategies could be, given the complexity of socioenvironmental dynamics in different community contexts in which such strategies have been replicated, one concludes that their primary effect is to convert the collective fear of a possibility of occurrence of disaster into a means by which a new non-democratic social order based on docile collective behaviour is emerging.

COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative review on legislative and regulatory framework in India for disaster and epidemic

Public health legislation plays an important role in the containment of any epidemic or pandemic. During a pandemic, it might be necessary to override the existing laws or (individual) human rights for the containment of the pandemic. The objective of the study is to review the legal framework pertaining to COVID-19 pandemic preparedness in India. This study has been done as an unsystematic narrative review where various legislations were assembled from electronic data base, websites from various legislative and Ministries and discussion with experts. Owing to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus Government of India announced nationwide lockdown on 24th March, 2020.  For proper implementation of lockdown measures various legislative laws belonging to different ministries is required. There are two pioneer acts namely The Epidemic disease act of 1897 and The Disaster management act of 2005. Under these two acts the government has laid down various rules and regulations that have to be followed during lockdown. This article describes the need for the law in a crisis like this and various legislations that have been implemented during lockdown.

Importance of Contextualized Communication for Better Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Risk Reduction: A Case Study from Bihar

India, the disaster preparedness has primarily been restricted to being response oriented that is mainlyconcentrated on the rescue operations. Insufficient community preparedness and lack of propercommunication leads to large scale causalities. The lack of proper communication is due to the fact thatthe relevant information among the community participants is not spread properly. One of the majorreasons for this is: the difference in the language of communication among the people and the language inwhich the information is officially shared. Due to this language gap it becomes very difficult for thenative people to understand the guidelines related to the disaster risks and disaster preparedness, therebymaking them more vulnerable to disaster risks. Five districts from Bihar have been identified for datacollection. The districts feature prominently from North to South on the map showing Multi HazardZones in Bihar issued by Bihar State Disaster Management Authority. Quantitative data analysis clearlyreflects that firstly, the official languages (English and Hindi) used by the government agencies forknowledge transfer are totally inadequate and secondly, translating the information in regional languageslike Magahi, Bhojpuri and Maithili considerably enhance the quality and the quantity of responses thatare generated during data collection. Community involvement can be promoted and made efficient onlywhen the regional languages are used as the desired media of communication.

Palestinian emergency nurses’ knowledge and role perception about disaster management: a need for immediate actions

Background: Preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters have become a priority for everyone. Gaza Strip in Palestine is constantly exposed to wars and disasters. One of the most prominent respondents to disasters in the health care system is emergency nurses. This study aimed to identify the role perception of Palestinian emergency nurses in Gaza Strip during disaster and their level of knowledge about disaster management.Methods: The analytical descriptive cross-sectional approach was used. The study sample consisted of all nurses working in emergency departments at the governmental hospitals in Gaza Strip. The eligible nurses were 180; only 162 filled the questionnaire with response rate 90% after signing the consent form. Data were analyzed using mean, t test and ANOVA.Results: The findings indicated that 75.9% of emergency nurses were male. About 53% were 20-29 years old. Most of them hold bachelor degree (73.5%) while only 4.3% had a master degree. The study found that the level of “role perception of nurses during disasters” was 81.5% (e.g., ability to participate in an emergency plan, provide psychosocial support, have high confidence during emergencies, etc.), followed by field of “nurses’ knowledge of disasters” with 78.03% (e.g., past experience, updated information, etc.).Conclusions: Although the Palestinian emergency nurses have an acceptable level of knowledge and role perception during disasters, they still need to raise their level of knowledge, preparedness and skills by integrating clearly defined theoretical and training sessions on disaster management in nursing curricula and through in-service activities for employees.

Awareness about disaster management among accredited social health activists in field practice area of a medical college in Mysuru

Background: The changing global climate due to human influences is leading to a greater incidence of extreme weather events and natural disasters. The natural and man-made disasters have a great impact on physical and mental health and health system. Disaster preparedness is therefore important at all levels of the health system. Being the first contact of the health system to the communities, accredited social health workers have a great role in managing the disasters at the village level. This study attempts to assess the awareness regarding disaster management among accredited social health activists (ASHAs) in the field practice area of J.S.S. Medical College in Mysuru, Karnataka.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted for one month in July 2019. A total of 40 ASHAs were assessed by direct interview method using a pre-structured, validated questionnaire. The data were entered into the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using SPPS version 22.Results: The median years of experience of ASHAs were 10 years (interquartile range: 5.75-10) with a minimum and maximum experience of 2 and 10 years respectively. None of the study participants had received any trainings or mock drills for disaster management/ preparedness. The awareness about disaster management was low among the ASHAs assessed. Most of the ASHAs (92.5%) had average knowledge about disaster management while 7.5% had only poor knowledge.Conclusions: The awareness about disaster management among ASHAs is very poor. We recommend training programs and mock drills for the frontline health workers to improve awareness and disaster preparedness.

Community-based intervention study on knowledge and training needs of disaster medicine among local residents in a disaster-prone coastal area of Southern India

Background: A state of preparedness to a natural calamity can considerably mitigate loss of life and property and the human suffering and restore normalcy at the earliest. This study aimed at evaluation of knowledge levels on disaster management among community residents in Puducherry.Methods: Community based intervention study involving 150 community residents from a disaster affected coastal area was carried out employing convenient sampling. One-to-one interview was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Intervention through posters, lectures and disaster management mock drills was done. Evaluation was made using the same questionnaire following the intervention. The pre- and post-test evaluation were compared and analysed.Results: The study showed lower levels of knowledge regarding disaster management. Following the intervention there was a significant rise in the knowledge levels (p<0.005).Conclusions: This study may be useful for planning future training needs and IEC strategies for the community regarding disaster management.

Respuesta del sistema municipal de salud al huracán Irma. Aguada de Pasajeros, 2017 / Response of the Municipal Health System to Irma Hurricane. Aguada de Pasajeros, 2017

Fundamento: en la respuesta del sistema de salud ante un huracán, los municipios y sus establecimientos tienen un papel protagónico.Objetivo: describir la respuesta del sistema municipal de salud del municipio de Aguada de Pasajeros ante el paso del huracán Irma por el territorio. Métodos: estudio prospectivo, transversal, en sistema y servicios de salud, desarrollado en el municipio de Aguada de Pasajeros entre el 7 y 30 de septiembre de 2017. El universo lo constituyó la totalidad de trabajadores e instituciones del territorio, todos involucrados en la respuesta al huracán Irma. Se incluyeron la revisión documental (planes, indicaciones de los Consejos de Defensa y del Ministerio de Salud) y la observación participativa. También se revisaron indicadores de posible impacto y del cuadro de salud municipal. Resultados: se planificaron y ejecutaron un total de 88 acciones por el sistema municipal de salud; 50 durante la fase informativa, 29 en la de alarma y nueve en la de alerta. El plan de reducción de desastres fue cumplido en su totalidad, al que se le agregaron ocho nuevas tareas como parte de las lecciones aprendidas. No hubo fallecidos atribuidos al huracán, ni cambios en la morbilidad posterior al evento. Existió cobertura asistencial mantenida en sitios de difícil acceso y albergues. Todas las instituciones mantuvieron su vitalidad. Conclusiones: las acciones desarrolladas en el municipio permitieron mantener el cuadro de salud, la atención integral a las personas que demandaron asistencia médica durante el paso del fenómeno natural, así como la vitalidad de las instituciones.

Foundation: in response of the health system before a hurricane, municipalities and establishments have a protagonist role. Objective: to describe the Aguada de Pasajeros municipal health system at the Irma hurricane's path across its territory. Methods: prospective cross study, in the health and service system, developed in the Aguada de Pasajeros Municipality between September the 7th and 30th, 2017. The universe was the territory total of workers and institutions, all involved in the response to Irma's hurricane. A documentary review was included (plans, instructions from the Defense Councils, and the Minister of Health) and participating observation. Indicators of possible impact and municipal health situation. Results: a total of 88 actions by the municipal health system; 50 during the informative phase and 9 in alert. The plan for disaster reduction was totaly achieved, to which 9 new tasks were added. There were no deaths due to the hurricane nor morbidity after the event. There was maintained assistance coverage in sites of difficult access and shelters. All the institutions maintained vitality. Conclusion: the actions developed in the municipality allowed maintaining the health situation, the comprehensive care to the people who demanded medical services during the path of the natural phenomena across the territory institutional vitality.

Abrigos temporários em desastres: a experiência de São José do Rio Preto, Brasil / Temporary shelters in disasters: the experience of São José do Rio Preto, Brazil

RESUMO Relato de experiência sobre o planejamento dos abrigos temporários montados em São José do Rio Preto, na catástrofe de 11 de janeiro de 2011. Objetivou-se analisar o planejamento de um abrigo, a partir de princípios de assistência, utilizando-se documentos da Secretaria Nacional de Proteção e Defesa Civil. Foram escolhidas barracas Shelter Box para a abrigagem, com áreas de convívio. A infraestrutura de apoio possuía coleta de resíduos, abastecimento de água e de alimentos satisfatórios. Estava disponível equipe de profissionais de saúde. As ações de recuperação são complexas e devem estar articuladas e direcionadas ao interesse da população atingida, adaptando-se às mudanças necessárias.

ABSTRACT Experience report on the planning of temporary shelters assembled after São José do Rio Preto's disaster on January 11, 2017. This study aimed to analyze the planning of a shelter from assistance principles, using documents from the National Protection and Civil Defense Department. Shelter Boxes were chosen for sheltering, with living areas. The support infrastructure has been satisfactory, with waste collection, and water and food supply. Health care professionals were available. Recovery actions are complex and must be articulated and directed to the interest of the population, with high adaptive capacity to the necessary changes.

A survey on perception of disaster management among medical students / 基础医学与临床

Objective To investigate current situation of disaster medicine courses among medical schools in China and perception of disaster management among medical students.Methods The survey was conducted among medical students from 14 medical schools in China.A questionnaire which included self-evaluation of ability to practice disaster management, status of disaster medicine courses and self-interest in learning disaster management was used.Results The survey showed that only a few of medical schools offered disaster medicine courses and the quality of current courses was not satisfying.Medical students were generally lack of systematic perception of disaster management, but they were interested in studying related knowledge.Conclusions It is necessary to design disaster medicine courses of high quality and promote them among medical schools in China.It can not only meet the requirements of medical students, but also effectively improve the response capacity of medical students and doctors when facing catastrophes.

Terremoto en Chile, una mirada desde la etnografía virtual: opiniones de estudiantes de enfermería respecto a la gestión de desastres / Earthquake in Chile, a virtual ethnography insight: Nursing students views on disaster management

Resumen:

Objetivos: el 27 de febrero del año 2010 se produjo el segundo mayor terremoto en la historia de Chile. Se realizó un estudio etnográfico acerca de las opiniones de estudiantes de 4º año de Enfermería en un foro virtual en Facebook acerca de la gestión de desastres. Los objetivos son conocer las opiniones de los alumnos respecto a la gestión de desastres. Describir los tipos de comunicación entre los participantes en el foro. Material y métodos: investigación cualitativa, etnografía virtual descriptiva, con análisis de contenido y observación participante. Resultados: los estudiantes discrepan de la gestión de desastres del terremoto, con una respuesta tardía de las autoridades y falta de empoderamiento de las comunidades. Conclusiones: las opiniones de los estudiantes constituyen una visión general de la necesidad de la transformación social. Facebook se convierte en una herramienta dinámica y de fácil acceso, desarrollando diversos niveles de comunicación. Palabras clave: enfermería; gestión de desastres; etnografía virtual; valores sociales.

Strategic planning and designing of a hospital disaster manual in a tertiary care, teaching, research and referral institute in India / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

BACKGROUND:As per the "Disaster Management Act, 2005" of India, it is mandatory for government hospitals in India to prepare a disaster plan. This study aimed to prepare a disaster manual of a 1900 bed tertiary care hospital, in consultation and involvement of all concerned stakeholders. METHODS:A committee of members from hospital administration, clinical, diagnostic and supportive departments worked on an initial document prepared according to the Act and gave their inputs to frame a final disaster manual. RESULTS:The prepared departmental standard operating procedures involved 116 people (doctors and paramedical staff), and were then synchronized, in 12 committee meetings, to produce the final hospital disaster manual. CONCLUSIONS:The present disaster manual is one of the few comprehensive plans prepared by the stakeholders of a government hospital in India, who themselves form a part of the disaster response team. It also helped in co-ordinated conduction of mock drills.

Rehabilitation in a Disaster Zone : A Report from a Miyagi Prefecture Hospital that escaped Damage in the Great East Japan Earthquake and Disaster / The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

In the Great East Japan Earthquake and disaster, much of the Pacific coastline of Miyagi Prefecture was devastated by a tsunami. Though physical damage to our hospital was minimal, both the flow of information and the hospital's lifeline were interrupted. During this time supplies to our hospital were insufficient, yet we still gave medical assistance to the disaster victims. Physically handicapped people faced extreme difficulty in all aspects of everyday life such as moving to a refuge center, eating, going to the toilet and securing a place to lie down at the refuge center. Physically handicapped people left in homes cut off from the outside also faced many difficulties. We commenced medical assistance at the refuge center 3 days after the tsunami hit. Many assistants came from other hospitals affiliated with MIN-IREN (Japan Federation of Democratic Medical Institutions) throughout the country. We commenced rehabilitation support at the refuge center from April. While at the refuge center, handicapped people had to deal with many obstacles such as the distance to the toilets, toilet structure, stairs and steps etc. From June, we began assistance at the temporary housing sites. Going forward, our future problem is providing disaster victim health management support at the temporary housing sites, and also providing assistance in setting up a network of sympathetic residents to prevent isolation. In light of our experience, from the perspective of a disaster management strategy, there is a definite need to perfect a government-centered support system that focuses on physically handicapped people immediately after a disaster. This is particularly important from the perspective of rehabilitation, as the challenge is to create post-disaster rehabilitation support teams.

Abundance & distribution of muscoid fl ies in tsunami - hit coastal villages of southern India during post-disaster management period.

Background & objectives: In the tsunami (December 2004) affected coastal villages located on southern parts of Coramandel Coast of India, seawater intrusion has created serious problems for the people. In order to assess the risk of outbreak of fl y-borne diseases, a longitudinal study for one year was carried out to investigate muscoid fl y abundance and their distribution in relation to various phases of relief measures in disaster-hit villages. Method: Muscoid fl y density was monitored in devastated human settlements, temporary shelters, garbage dumping yards and open defaecation yards in seawater intrusion and indoors and outdoors of seawater non intrusion areas using scudder grill and sweep net at monthly intervals from February 2005 to January 2006. Results: Muscoid fl y density recorded in the seawater incursion area was signifi cantly higher, compared to that observed in the seawater non incursion area with scudder grill sampling (F= 57.896, df = 1, P<0.01) or sweep net sampling (F= 63.6, df = 1, P<0.01). Fly density in seawater non incursion area was higher during hotter months (June-July 2005) and lower during cooler months. On the contrary, the fl y density in the seawater incursion areas was higher during the cooler months than in hotter months, indicating that the normal trend was upset by the tsunami. Interpretation & conclusion: Seawater incursion, crowding of tsunami victims at relief camps, accumulation of solid waste at centralized relief kitchen and temporary shelters were responsible for the sudden increase in the number of fl ies. However, the post-disaster relief efforts kept the situation under control, without outbreak of any vector-borne diseases.