Despite the frightening regularity of humanitarian disasters like the earthquake in Haiti, which occurred earlier this year in January, international responses remain fragmented and must be improved, according to a group of American trauma surgeons, writing in the British Medical Journal.
The surgeons warned that an unco-ordinated push to get people and equipment into the affected zone as soon as possible can worsen the situation and reduce the effectiveness of relief efforts.
They also advised anyone thinking about volunteering to join an established group and obtain appropriate training to enable them to function in a disaster zone.
Many healthcare professionals from developed countries do not know what to do when faced with the horrors of a major humanitarian disaster, so proper preparation is key to providing prompt relief, the surgeons said.
Medical volunteers should have a basic understanding of field and trauma medicine, be able to treat wounds and fractures with limited equipment and in non-sterile conditions, and know basic field sanitation and water purification techniques, the surgeons added. These measures will help avoid well intentioned but sometimes misguided help from unco-ordinated and untrained people that can hamper relief efforts, they noted.
“Surely, doctors have learned enough from the natural dis-asters of the last few decades to allow us to set priorities and offer a reasonably co-ordinated international relief effort the next time this happens.”
They called for international dialogue to explore ways to improve the response to these events.
“We have a perfect opportunity in Haiti to work towards true international co-operation, the surgeons concluded.
“The Haitians will benefit from a long-term commitment to rebuilding, and the world medical community will benefit from the lessons learned when next we are called upon to provide disaster relief.”
BMJ Online, available at: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/doi/10.1136/bmj.c562
About Greg Baxter
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