Critical Care and Catastrophe Medicine
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IAP for Health was recently invited to participate in the annual conference of the Georgian Academy of Medical Sciences (GAMS) on ‘New Steps in Critical Care and Catastrophe Medicine’. The conference, held in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, was attended by about 50 persons, including academicians plus other medics from Tbilisi and elsewhere in Georgia. IAP coordinator, Peter McGrath, attended and presented an overview of the IAP structure, its goals and main activities. Given the theme of the conference, he also focused on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and how it requires science and technology to help achieve its goals. In part thanks to the work of the academies, the Sendai Framework includes heavy emphasis on the use of science and technology for disaster risk reduction. For example, paragraph 25 (g) of the Framework calls to “Enhance the scientific and technical work on disaster risk reduction and its mobilization through the coordination of existing networks and scientific research institutions at all levels and all regions with the support of the UNISDR Scientific and Technical Advisory Group…” McGrath also highlighted other sections of the Sendai Framework, notably sections 30(i), 30(j) and 30(k) – see below – especially in relation to healthcare provision and catastrophe medicine, i.e. treatment of patients who have suffered from being in a disaster situation. During the meeting, P. McGrath was presented with an honorary diploma by the Georgian Institute of Critical Care Medicine and was interviewed for a local television channel. In follow-up talks with the president of GAMS, Zurab Kheladze, an offer was made to host a similar meeting next year, ideally with the participation of suitable experts from member academ ies from other countries.
Relevant paragraphs of the Sendai Framework • 30 (i) enhance the resilience of national health systems, including by integrating disaster risk management into primary, secondary and tertiary health care, especially at the local level; developing the capacity of health workers in understanding disaster risk and applying and implementing disaster risk reduction approaches in health work; promoting and enhancing the training capacities in the field of disaster medicine; and supporting and training community health groups in disaster risk reduction approaches in health programmes, in collaboration with other sectors, as well as in the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) of the World Health Organization; • 30 (j) strengthening the design and implementation of inclusive policies and social safety-net mechanisms, including through community involvement, integrated with livelihood enhancement programmes, and access to basic health-care services, including maternal, newborn and child health, sexual and reproductive health, food security and nutrition, housing and education, towards the eradication of poverty, to find durable solutions in the post-disaster phase and to empower and assist people disproportionately affected by disasters; • 30 (k) People with life-threatening and chronic disease, due to their particular needs, should be included in the design of policies and plans to manage their risks before, during and after disasters, including having access to life-saving services. |