Present Discussion : Proactive management of Natural disasters

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

On the eve of Christmas & New year 2009, we are to start the discussion

on “Pro active management of natural disasters”

Tropical climate and unstable landforms, coupled with high population density, poverty, illiteracy and lack of adequate infrastructure make India one of the most vulnerable developing countries to suffer from various natural disasters.

Friends, the entire south eastern Asian region is prone for Natural Disaster which requires wide area of active involvement of people from different sectors. However, in the present session, we shall discuss more about health management in this critical situation

Govt. of India, in its gazette, defines disaster as catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural/ man made causes or by accident or negligence which result in substantial loss of life or human sufferings or damage to it, and destruction to property, damage to, or degradation of environment and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of affected area.

The American Red Cross defines a disaster as follows:

A disaster is an occurrence such as hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, earthquake, drought, blizzard, pestilence, famine, fire, explosion, volcanic eruption, building collapse, transportation wreck, or other situation that causes human suffering or creates human needs that the victims cannot alleviate without assistance.

The different points which can be highlighted in this discussion are

- Assessment of natural disaster

- Management of injury

- Infection and its management

- Management of drowning and its complications

- Organization of a camp

- Selection and quantification of medicines

- Different food and water borne diseases

- Maternal and child health

- Chronic diseass

Trupti Swain

Orissa