Emergencies and disasters can happen anytime. They do not wait for anyone that is why we must always be ready and prepared. Being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that may result from disasters.
In the Philippines, we celebrate December 6 of every year as National Health Emergency Preparedness Day by the virtue of Proclamation No. 705 series of 1995. The goal of the celebration is to promote health emergency preparedness awareness among Filipinos.
According to the World Health Organization, public health emergencies can arise from a wide range of cases, including outbreaks of contagious, life threatening disease, natural disasters such as flooding and typhoon, and chemical contamination of the environment and radiation. It may also include act of terrorism such as bombings and shootings and mass casualty incidents such as car, plane, and train crashes.
During emergencies, large number of people may require medical attention, health care systems may be over-stretched, and public order may be threatened.
Injuries during health emergencies should not result to death. Know how to prepare for emergencies.
Learn basic first aid. Part of being prepared is knowing and having the basic skills in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid. Performing CPR or giving first aid is recognized internationally as an appropriate public health intervention for injury prevention and control.
Have a first aid kit. Aside from knowing basic first aid techniques, it is also important that households and workplaces have a first aid kit that is well organized, fully stocked and easily and readily available. The content of the first aid kit may vary depending on the need, condition and setting of the emergency. However, a standard kit should have band-aids, gauze, medical tape, alcohol or any antiseptic, scissors, tweezers, thermometer, medicine for fever, diarrhea, and pain relief, among others.
Prepare your own emergency Go Bag. The Philippine Red Cross advises every family to be prepared by having their own emergency “Go Bag”. This bag should serve as an emergency kit that could last for at least 72 hours and should have enough supply for the whole family. Content of the Go bag should have the following but not limited to: 1) battery-powered radio with extra batteries; 2) flashlight, candles, match and whistle; 3) first-aid kit; 4) drinking water; 5) ready-to-eat food; 6) important documents in sealed envelopes; 7) clothing, raincoat, boots and sanitary supplies; 8) spare cash including coins; 9) rope, old stack of newspaper and sturdy containers; 10) sleeping bags or mats, and blankets; and, 11) supplies for the needs of infants, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
For families and households with breastfeeding children, it's also important to include a breastfeeding kit in your emergency preparedness pack to ensure that infants receive proper nutrition during an emergency. The kit should include malong, feeding cup with cover, food container with spoon and fork, 1-liter glass tumbler with cover, soap for handwashing, information materials and birth certificate.
In times of disasters and emergencies, feeding formula or powdered baby milk is not safe because of the lack of clean water and sterilization supplies. There is a high risk of diarrhea, which could lead to death. Even in times of emergencies, breastfeeding is still the best.
Know the emergency numbers to call and list of the closest hospitals in your area. In case of injuries and trauma, it may be necessary to know what numbers to call for rescue especially if a patient should be treated in a hospital. Keep in mind that minutes and hours can mean the difference between life and death for a person if not given proper care.
Know what disasters that may possibly occur in your area and check for designated evacuation centers in your community. Protect your physical, mental, and emotional health and safety in times of emergencies and disasters.
Maging laging handa sa sakuna!
(TAR/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)
Source:
- https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1995/12/06/proclamation-no-705-s-1995/
- https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/first-aid-basics-and-drsabcd
- Social Media Card on Emergency Go Bag from DSWD - Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center
- https://seriousmd.com/blog/philippine-health-emergency-preparedness-day/
- 2014 Nutrition Month Talking Points
