Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief mission by a tripartite medical team led by the Singapore Armed Forces after the 2015 Nepal earthquake.
- Author:
Ming Li Leonard HO
1
;
Jonathan Zhao Min LIM
1
;
Mark Zhong Wei TAN
1
;
Wai Leong KOK
1
;
Jun Ren ZHANG
1
;
Mian Yi TAN
1
;
Adrian Chong Beng TAN
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Nepal; earthquake; healthcare after disasters; natural disasters
- MeSH: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Brunei; Child; Child, Preschool; Disasters; Earthquakes; Emergency Medicine; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Middle Aged; Military Personnel; Nepal; Physical Examination; Primary Health Care; Relief Work; Singapore
- From:Singapore medical journal 2016;57(8):426-431
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
INTRODUCTIONThis study aimed to report the injury or disease patterns, challenges, key observations, and recommendations by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) team that embarked on an Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission in the aftermath of the April 2015 Nepal earthquake.
METHODSThe SAF medical team that provided HADR assistance to Nepal consisted of personnel from the SAF, Singapore¢s Ministry of Health and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal, the SAF medical team was assigned to the Gokarna district by the local health authorities. In addition to providing primary healthcare, the medical facility was equipped to perform resuscitation and minor procedures. We also assembled mobile medical teams (MMTs) that travelled to various remote areas of the country to deliver medical aid.
RESULTSA total of 3,014 patients were managed by the SAF medical team. Of these patients, 1,286 (42.7%) were men. 574 (19.0%) patients sustained earthquake-related injuries or illnesses, while 2,440 (81.0%) sustained non-earthquake-related injuries or illnesses. The team treated a total of 447 (77.9%) adults and 127 (22.1%) paediatric patients with earthquake-related injuries or illnesses. A significant number of patients developed exacerbations of underlying medical conditions. 2,161 (71.7%) patients were treated in our main facility in Gokarna, while 853 patients (28.3%) were treated by our MMTs.
CONCLUSIONThe ability to transport healthcare personnel and essential medical equipment within a short time allowed the SAF medical team to provide crucial medical care in the aftermath of the 2015 Nepal earthquake.
