Preparing and responding to mass casualties in the developing world.
Disasters, albeit on a small scale, are an everyday event in Africa. They contribute to depriving millions of Africans of access to basic services, often considered rights in more affluent societies. The massive amounts of aid donated during disasters, could be limited by strengthening systems of disaster preparedness beforehand. Current, disease-specific programs can not achieve this goal. The Essential Trauma Care Program of the WHO, and the International Association of Trauma Surgery and Intensive Care provides a template on which to build affordable systems of disaster preparedness.
Goosen
Jacques
J
Trauma Unit, Johannesburg Hospital, South Africa. jacgoosen@mweb.co.za
Mock
Charles
C
Quansah
Robert
R
D000349:Africa; D000533:Altruism; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004190:Disasters / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D016730:Program Development; D012066:Relief Work / Q000458:organization & administration; D018635:Rescue Work / Q000458:organization & administration; D014218:Triage; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy