Primary healthcare approach critical to meet needs in emergencies
Friday, 1 October 2010
Experts from 11 Southeast Asian countries after three days of brainstorming sessions in the city Thursday reached a consensus that the primary healthcare (PHC) approach was critical to meet health needs in emergencies, especially after floods, cyclones and earthquakes in the region, reports BSS.
They said PHC, a proven effective and low-cost health style, already exists in the region, but it needs to be revitalised through community mobilisation, enhanced resilience to disasters, promotion of self-help, voluntary evacuation and emergency communications.
PHC includes universal coverage, community participation, intersectoral collaboration and use of appropriate technologies to ensure primary healthcare of the afflicted people, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) that hosted the regional dialogue ending Thursday.
Prime Minister's Health Adviser Prof Dr Syed Modasser Ali formally opened the dialogue on "Primary Healthcare Approach in Emergencies" at Dhaka Sheraton hotel, where Regional Director of WHO Dr Samlee Plianbangchang was present.
"Bangladesh is a disaster-prone country and it has learnt a lot from the past natural calamities. The Bangladesh knowledge on primary healthcare might be useful for others," acting representative of World Health Organization Dr Serguei Diorditsa said after winding up the event.
Serguei said WHO has been focusing on areas of weaknesses of PHC to strengthen and equip communities with the concept to face disasters, either caused by the nature or human beings. He said the knowledge of PHC principles could also be applied to non- emergency situations as well.
Participants from Sri Lanka and Indonesia said much of the deaths and disability caused by tsunami in 2004 could have been averted if the coastal communities had been trained and prepared with PHC principles before the disaster took place. They said disaster preparedness must start with the empowerment of people at local levels.
Bangladesh Red Crescent Society’s Health Director A S Haider agreed with the community empowerment to minimize the loss of life and property during and after disasters, but reminded that incentives must be provided for the community volunteers to keep them ready to render services at times of emergencies.
He also suggested equipping disaster preparedness volunteers with first aid kits and other equipment, and holding regular drills so that they do not fall in a fix during emergencies.
According to Bangladesh Disaster Management Ministry, the country has faced two major cyclones and experienced dozens of mild to moderate earthquakes in last two years.
They said PHC, a proven effective and low-cost health style, already exists in the region, but it needs to be revitalised through community mobilisation, enhanced resilience to disasters, promotion of self-help, voluntary evacuation and emergency communications.
PHC includes universal coverage, community participation, intersectoral collaboration and use of appropriate technologies to ensure primary healthcare of the afflicted people, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) that hosted the regional dialogue ending Thursday.
Prime Minister's Health Adviser Prof Dr Syed Modasser Ali formally opened the dialogue on "Primary Healthcare Approach in Emergencies" at Dhaka Sheraton hotel, where Regional Director of WHO Dr Samlee Plianbangchang was present.
"Bangladesh is a disaster-prone country and it has learnt a lot from the past natural calamities. The Bangladesh knowledge on primary healthcare might be useful for others," acting representative of World Health Organization Dr Serguei Diorditsa said after winding up the event.
Serguei said WHO has been focusing on areas of weaknesses of PHC to strengthen and equip communities with the concept to face disasters, either caused by the nature or human beings. He said the knowledge of PHC principles could also be applied to non- emergency situations as well.
Participants from Sri Lanka and Indonesia said much of the deaths and disability caused by tsunami in 2004 could have been averted if the coastal communities had been trained and prepared with PHC principles before the disaster took place. They said disaster preparedness must start with the empowerment of people at local levels.
Bangladesh Red Crescent Society’s Health Director A S Haider agreed with the community empowerment to minimize the loss of life and property during and after disasters, but reminded that incentives must be provided for the community volunteers to keep them ready to render services at times of emergencies.
He also suggested equipping disaster preparedness volunteers with first aid kits and other equipment, and holding regular drills so that they do not fall in a fix during emergencies.
According to Bangladesh Disaster Management Ministry, the country has faced two major cyclones and experienced dozens of mild to moderate earthquakes in last two years.