Tsunami is derived from two Japanese words ‘tsu’ and ‘name’ meaning coastline and wave respectively. It is mainly caused by tremors beneath the bottom of the sea, submarine volcanic eruptions, and coastal landslides. Tsunamis, just like the other natural disasters such as cyclones, tornadoes, and volcanic eruptions cause devastating effects among them the death of human beings and animals, loss of property, the spread of water-borne diseases, and setback to economic growth.
The Indian Ocean coastline experienced the world’s worst tsunami on December 26, 2004, that claimed about 200,000 lives, displaced about 140,000 and caused injuries to 34,000 people in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Malaysia (Peacock, 2005). Tsunami is usually associated with increased outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera and amoebic dysentery as most rescue operations are carried out in the water. The victims who are trapped in water are left with no option but to consume the contaminated water. It is therefore important to manage and control the health hazards posed by tsunamis and related disasters since such occurrences are inevitable.
Disaster management systems in most developing countries are wanting. This causes serious effects that would have otherwise been prevented especially if a disaster management policy is in place (Rao, 2006). The health department is usually the major culprit when tsunamis strike. Recalling, the December 2004 tsunami, the number of medical staff and equipment was insufficient to cater for the thousands who were in dire need of medical assistance. Some foreign doctors and nurses were called in to assist while some victims were transferred to distant hospitals for specialized treatment. The overstretching of health facilities poses a great challenge; how can the health department deal with tsunami cases to ensure that the community is disease-free and safe?
The establishment of a Disaster Management Information System in every district hospital is vital. This helps in knowing the location of critical equipment, skills, resources, and information (Rao, 2006). The database of various medical equipment and services in private and public hospitals should be updated regularly. This would in effect ensure tsunami cases are addressed promptly.
By damage assessment and relief management measures in the affected areas, the health departments ensure that the victims are accorded urgent attention. Relief organizations such as Red Cross should be called upon to administer relief food and to offer water and sanitation solutions to the affected populations. This will prevent the spread of water-borne diseases.
It is important to install prediction and early warning systems in all hospitals to minimize the potential risks. This would help in pre-disaster planning and preparedness (Peacock, 2005). The cultivation of disaster management experts, mobilization of resources including communication and telemedicine services are all important measures that can be used to ensure that tsunami victims remain healthy and safe amid a disaster.
Public and private health institutions should ensure that a proper inventory of the people affected is maintained. This would ensure that specialized attention is given to the victims in time. Those in critical conditions are given urgent attention including isolation to prevent the spread of diseases to the healthy.
National disaster management volunteers should be trained in disaster management courses to assist the surrounding community when disaster strikes. This will guarantee the health and safety of the community. Psychological rehabilitation is also good for the traumatized especially children. The orphaned should be taken care of to prevent them from suffering mental diseases out of distress.
Disasters usually cause havoc in situations where no disaster management policy is in place. However with the above measures in place the magnitude of stress can be reduced, more lives saved and community safety assured. Governments in all nations, therefore, should take precautionary measures to ensure that they are prepared to deal with the challenges presented by natural disasters.
References
Peacock, S. J. (2005). Tsunami: Disaster Management in District Hospitals. Journal of Medicine, 3 (2): 35-54.
Rao, D.P. (2006). Disaster Management Strategies. International Journal of Disaster Reduction, 13 (5): 102-119.