Henry Dunant, fundador de la Cruz Roja / Henry Dunant, founder of the International Red Crosse

El presente se aborda la figura de Henry Dunant, activista en favor de la causa humanitaria, fue testigo de las secuelas de la batalla de Solferino en Italia cuyo impacto le llevó a escribir sus memorias y experiencias en el libro "Un recuerdo de Solferino" en el que reclamó la creación de un cuerpo de voluntarios para socorrer a los heridos de guerra sin distinción del bando que fuera. En 1901, recibió el primer Premio Nobel de la Paz por su papel al fundar el Movimiento Internacional de la Cruz Roja (AU).

The current work is about the figure of Henry Dunant, militant in favor of the humanitarian cause. He was a witness of the sequels of Solferino´s battle, in Italy, the impact of which led him to write his memoirs and experiences in the book "A recollection of Solferino". In it he claimed for the creation of a voluntary corps to help war wounded people without distinction of the band where they fought. In 1901 he was awarded the first Nobel Peace Prize because of its role in the foundation of the International Red Crosse Movement (AU).

La Cruz Roja Española, la repatriación de los soldados de las guerras coloniales y el desarrollo de la ciencia médica en España, 1896-1950 / The Spanish Red Cross, the repatriation of soldiers during the colonial wars and the development of medical science in Spain, 1896-1950

Resumen Este trabajo estudia el papel desempeñado por la Cruz Roja Española (fundada en 1864) en la introducción y difusión de tecnologías humanitarias y el desarrollo de la ciencia médica en España, sirviéndonos del estudio de caso relativo a la atención a soldados enfermos y heridos, repatriados de las guerras de Cuba, Filipinas y Marruecos, y del análisis del impacto que estas medidas tuvieron sobre las necesidades asistenciales y de salud pública de la población civil. El artículo muestra cómo esta organización articuló la provisión de asistencia médica para los soldados españoles, estableciendo una red de centros sanitarios especializados, destinados, posteriormente, también al cuidado de la población civil y a la atención de nuevos problemas de salud pública.

Abstract This article examines the role played by the Spanish Red Cross (founded in 1864) in the introduction and spread of humanitarian technologies and the development of medical science in Spain, using the case study of medical care for sick and wounded soldiers repatriated during the wars in Cuba, the Philippines and Morocco, and analyzing the impact these measures had on health care and public health among the civilian population. The article shows how this organization set up health care for Spanish soldiers, establishing a network of specialized medical centers that were later also used to provide medical care for civilians and to address new public health problems.

El terremoto de 2010 en Chile: respuesta del sistema de salud y de la cooperación internacional / The 2010 earthquake in Chile: the response of the health system and international cooperation

OBJETIVO: Conocer la respuesta que dieron el sistema de salud y la cooperación internacional a la situación de catástrofe generada por el terremoto y el tsunami ocurridos el 27 de febrero de 2010 en Chile, y elaborar propuestas para mejorar las estrategias dirigidas a reducir los efectos devastadores de los desastres naturales. MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo y cualitativo con una primera fase de análisis de información secundaria -como artículos de prensa, discursos oficiales e informes técnicos- y una segunda fase de aplicación de entrevistas semi-estructuradas a actores institucionales encargados de la respuesta al desastre desde el sector salud y a usuarios del sistema de salud que actuaron como líderes y/o dirigentes en dicha respuesta. La investigación se desarrolló entre mayo y octubre de 2010 y el levantamiento de información se focalizó en las regiones Maule, Bío Bío y Metropolitana. RESULTADOS: Faltaron procedimientos para el registro, la distribución y el control de las donaciones. Los servicios de salud sufrieron daños importantes, incluida la destrucción total de 10 hospitales. Los hospitales de campaña y los equipos médicos extranjeros fueron valorados por la comunidad. El modelo de salud familiar y el compromiso del personal facilitaron la calidad de la respuesta. Si bien hubo un buen manejo sanitario, se registraron dificultades para enfrentar los problemas de salud mental por la inexistencia de planes locales y de simulacros previos. La población más afectada fue la que vivía en condiciones de pobreza. Las mujeres se convirtieron en líderes sociales organizando a la comunidad. CONCLUSIONES: Aun cuando la respuesta sanitaria frente a la emergencia fue satisfactoria, tanto el sistema de salud como la movilización de la asistencia internacional acusaron falencias que reforzaron inequidades previamente instaladas, demostrando la necesidad de construir planes preventivos multisectoriales y participativos para estar mejor preparados frente a los desastres.

OBJECTIVE: Understand the health system and international cooperation response to the catastrophic situation left by the earthquake and tsunami of 27 February 2010 in Chile, and draft proposals for improving strategies to mitigate the devastating effects of natural disasters. METHODS: Descriptive and qualitative study with a first phase involving the analysis of secondary information-such as news articles, official statements, and technical reports-and a second phase involving semistructured interviews of institutional actors in the public health sector responsible for disaster response and users of the health system who acted as leaders and/or managers of the response. The study was conducted between May and October 2010, and information-gathering focused on the Maule, Bío Bío, and Metropolitan regions. RESULTS: Procedures for recording, distributing, and controlling donations were lacking. The health services suffered significant damage, including the complete destruction of 10 hospitals. The presence of field hospitals and foreign medical teams were appreciated by the community. The family health model and the commitment of personnel helped to ensure the quality of the response. While public health management was generally good, problems dealing with mental health issues were encountered due to a lack of local plans and predisaster simulations. The poor were the most affected. Women became social leaders, organizing the community. CONCLUSIONS: Although the health response to the emergency was satisfactory, both the health system and the mobilization of international assistance suffered from weaknesses that exacerbated existing inequities, revealing the need for multisectoral participatory mitigation plans for better disaster preparedness.

Chile se pone de pie otra vez: [editorial] / Chile: standing up again: [editorial]

One of the biggest earthquakes recorded in human history has recently devastated a large part of the Chilean territory and, followed by a Tsunami, destroyed cities, seaports, fishermen’s coves, bridges, and countryside houses. This cataclysm affected a large proportion of our population, leaving homeless families, no working tools for work places, hospitals, schools, public buildings, museums. However, the loss of human Uves was small compared to similar disasters. It destroyed part of the national heritage as well as damaged people's living conditions. A national movement started immediately to help and recover, and international resources, both human and technological were also set in motion. As after previous earthquakes in Chile, young M.D.'s and medical students were organized in voluntary groups backed by institutions or by their own organizations and went from large cities as Santiago and others to provide medical and psychological care to those in most need. Young members and students of other health professions (nurses, physical therapists, etc.) were included in these groups or worked in their own ones. National and international experience indicates that the forthcoming months require special care of psychological reactions and sequel (posttraumatic stress symptoms) and health consequences after water pollution, restrictions in housing and deteriorated sanitary conditions. Nevertheless, our country will stand up once more.