Main Health Problems in Disasters and Emergencies
Disasters directly affect the health of the population and lead to physical injury, acute illness, and psychological trauma.
In addition, disasters may increase morbidity and mortality associated with chronic and infectious diseases by affecting the healthcare system, and children’s health needs are often neglected, with devastating effects.
Newborns, children, and mothers are often denied primary and essential care, including life-saving medicines and supplies, and the risk of disease and malnutrition increases.
Adolescents become more vulnerable to sexual violence, exacerbated by the lack of critical health care and services.
Children and adolescents face other threats in emergencies.
Across the world, attacks on children have continued unabated – in their homes and schools.
Closures of health facilities and a shortage of health professionals can prevent children in emergencies from receiving treatment for injuries.
Essential Medicines
Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of the population.
They can save lives, reduce suffering and improve health.
They are selected based on disease prevalence and public health relevance, clinical efficacy, safety evidence, comparative costs, and cost-effectiveness.
The increasing need for essential medicines due to the growing burden of diseases is stretching the country’s pharmaceutical systems and budgets.
Thus, more resources are required for reliable and timely delivery of quality-assured medicines as well as their appropriate utilization.
To address the growing need, governments must ensure the efficient use of resources that the system and the people can afford.
They should protect the public from substandard and counterfeit medicines, increase access to drugs while containing costs, and ensure the efficiency of supply chains and rational use of medicines.
Access to safe, effective, and quality medicines and vaccines for all is one of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals and is necessary to achieve universal health coverage (UHC).
Nutrition and Medical Supplies
Nutrition in Emergencies has two objectives:
- Preventing deaths.
- Protecting peoples’ right to nutrition.
When disaster strikes, people who are already malnourished before the emergency are more vulnerable to illness and death.
The communities affected by the emergency are also at risk of malnutrition because of lack of food or only access to inadequate food and water, poor sanitation, and lack of access to health services.
First Aid Kits
At the time of an emergency, it is vital to have the right supplies on hand.
Emergency prepared kits or disaster kits can help people survive after a disaster occurs.
The first 72 hours after an emergency are incredibly important.
Having the right survival gear helps people treat wounds, find help, and more.
Vaccine
Countries must be prepared to respond to public health threats associated with emergencies, such as natural disasters, sociopolitical conflicts, or uncontrolled disease outbreaks.
Rapid vaccination of populations vulnerable to epidemic-prone vaccine-preventable diseases is a significant component of emergency response. Emergency vaccination planning presents challenges, including how to predict resource needs, expand vaccine availability during global shortages, and address regulatory barriers to delivering new products.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supports countries to plan, implement, and evaluate emergency vaccination responses.
Donations for Medical Supplies
Bonyan Organization allocates a big part of its donations to provide medical aid and help people in disasters and emergencies. Through donations, Bonyan covers the costs of medical examinations for needy families in areas that lack free medical services.
It also covers medicines and costs for minor surgeries if necessary.
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- Emergency Relief And Aid
FAQ
What are the Health Difficulties of Displaced Populations?
Displaced persons suffer significantly higher mortality rates than the general population. They are also at high risk of physical assault, sexual assault, and abduction, often lacking adequate shelter, food, and health care.
How Many Health Needs Be Assessed?
Population / individual perspective, the physical, the mental, the social, and the environmental.
How Should Healthcare Be Provided?
The most important factors for optimal health. Studies show that the following five factors make the biggest difference in overall health and well-being:
– Rest
– Exercise.
– Posture
– Abstaining from alcohol, drugs, and tobacco.
Can I Donate Medical Supplies?
At Bonyan, we can receive your donation as cash and provide the most essential and suitable medical aid for people.
Who Takes Donated Medical Supplies?
People who need medical aid live in camps and disaster areas.