Role of Health Department in Disaster Management

The foundational ideas of disaster prevention—risk, hazard, and vulnerability—are recognisable to health practitioners. They are also  familiar with the apparent opposites of health and disease, as well as prevention and treatment. The same ideas that support the Public Health concept and the philosophy of Primary Health Care also govern disaster reduction.

In Pre-disaster:

Active participation of local authorities and relevant departments in preparing and updating quarterly health contingency plans is the sine qua non for its success. Along with accommodation capacity in an emergency, a list of civil hospitals, primary healthcare clinics

and sub-centres must be attached to health contingency plans.

• Every Response Base should be equipped with first aid facilities, essential medicines, and as many medical personnel as possible.
• It should be possible for mobile health units to serve at least one response base each day by deploying mobile response units with doctors and health care workers inside.
• The assistance of field staff can be taken in procedures and standards of services.
• Awareness of each hospital and medical center in precautionary measures and procedures should be ensured.
• A review of the precautions taken for the protection of medical/non-medical equipment and stocking emergency medical equipment should be done with the staff.
• Organise a special vaccination campaign in the most vulnerable villages.
• Availability of operating facilities in every response base should be ensured. All operational equipment should be kept in excellent working conditions.
• Checking equipment stocks and drugs is quintessential in disaster management. Generally, these fall into categories such as:

•  Among the drugs used for treating wounds and fractures are tetanus toxoid, analgesics, antibiotics, dressing materials, and splints.
• Treatment of hepatitis, influenza, diarrhoea, and malaria with medications.
• Snake bites and infections are related to treatment with medicines.
• In addition to prescribed detoxification drugs, intravenous fluids are often administered.
• Hospital administrations need to set work schedules so patients’ needs can be met.
• Identify what the procedure of engagement is for the following health establishments: Health Services of the Government, private hospitals, first response teams; CHCs (Community Health Centres); Civil Hospitals; Private Hospitals, Blood Banks; etc.

During and in Post-disaster: 

• As soon as possible, move both medical personnel and mobile units.
• Prepare extra supplies of medical items as soon as possible.
• A list of possible types of injuries and illnesses should be prepared, along with the record of medication and medical items required to deal with.
• Health staff members should be made aware of the potential damages and trained for the protection of themselves and property/equipment.
• Non-ambulatory patients should have safe areas within the hospital.
• The District Red Cross Society and other prominent organisations should ensure an adequate supply of blood in the district.
• Ensure pregnant women have access to maternity facilities at each Response Base/ Advanced Medical Post.
• Make sure that there are mutual aid arrangements with military and civil hospitals in the area.
• The central warehouse should immediately send priority supplies to hospitals.
• A hospital’s water tanks should contain clean, safe, and plentiful drinking water; if they aren’t present, make sure they are installed.
• For receiving casualties at the hospital, an area should be managed.

A thorough examination of the various disaster management components is necessary to provide good health care during disasters. The scope of healthcare services alongwith   various disaster management sectors should work closely together and interact for an effective response for disaster.