Disaster Preparedness From A Medical Perspective

The recent gas explosion in Embakasi, Nairobi that claimed seven lives and injured hundreds of people was a wake-up call for Kenya on disaster preparedness.

Having been in Embakasi for several days with a team of medical experts from the Nairobi Hospital providing free medical and emergency support to hundreds who were affected by this blast, I am certain that now is the time to ask ourselves hard questions on how we tackle the challenges of today so that we shape the possibilities of tomorrow.

Among the many lessons we pick from the Embakasi gas blast is that disaster preparedness from a medical perspective is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals and communities.

Embakasi exposed the lack of sufficient medical supplies and equipment. The importance of maintaining adequate stocks of medical supplies and equipment, including first aid kits, medications, sterile supplies, personal protective equipment and medical devices such as defibrillators and oxygen tanks that can be set aside for disasters, cannot be gainsaid.

These should be accessed in the shortest time possible, in conjunction with probably the military or other private sector players to augment what the public health ecosystem has. The authorities should always take stock of what medical facilities in the country have to enable effective utilisation and mobilisation during disasters.

Kenya needs sound emergency response plans, clearly outlining the steps to be taken in medical emergency during a disaster. This includes establishing communication channels, evacuation procedures, setting up emergency medical facilities and coordinating with local authorities and healthcare organisations within the disaster epicenter complete with a central command.

This requires proper assessment hto establish the kind of potential risks existing within the country such as floods, pandemics, fires, major road and train accidents, terrorist attacks, to name but a few. The assessment should point out how these disasters could impact public health for proper planning because of resource and budgetary implications.

Another vital aspect in disaster management is provision of medical training sessions on basic medical skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, wound care and triage techniques. How about programmes to educate individuals on how to recognise signs of common medical emergencies and when to seek medical help? This should include trainings in hospital incidence command system and Joint Emergency Service Interoperability Program. This helps people to work together despite coming from different working environment under a central command.

The training should also highlight the importance of providing psychological support to survivors of disasters. All health care providers in a disaster zone should be trained on how to offer emotional support, identify signs of distress and connect people with mental health resources to enable to debrief and give counselling services to the victims and families.

When health care professionals are empowered, proper care for disaster victims is guaranteed. The medics are able to develop plans for maintaining continuity of care for chronic conditions and ongoing treatments during and after a disaster. This may involve setting up temporary clinics, providing telemedicine services or coordinating with neighbouring healthcare facilities.

In disaster management, every challenge is an opportunity for excellence. When disaster strikes, it is not the time for blame game. It is a time when the nation marches together. It is a time to encourage collaboration between healthcare providers, emergency responders, government agencies, community organisations and volunteers to ensure a coordinated response to medical emergencies.

The post-disaster phase is equally important. Let us make it a culture to review and update our disaster preparedness plans based on lessons learned from past incidents and evolving best practices in emergency medicare. For instance, what lessons have we learnt from the Embakasi gas blast? Who is compiling a report on what worked and what didnt? Are we encouraging feedback from stakeholders to identify areas of improvement? Who will consume this report and how do we chart the nations path regarding future disasters?

A sound disaster preparedness strategy saves lives and money, and also speeds up the victims road to recovery. Let us improve our local disaster preparedness and response capacity to prevent