Mobile Medical Team's Experience During Major Flood Incident

| Posted in: Science

Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Health Major Incident : The Experiences of Mobile Medical Team During Major Flood
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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Original source:

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Author:

Rashidi Ahmad, Zainalabidin Mohamad, Abu Yazid Mohd Noh, Nasir Mohamad, Mohd Saharudin Shah Che Hamzah, Nik Ariff Nik Mohammed, Kamarul Aryffin Baharudin, Tuan Hairulnizam Tuan Kamauzaman


The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:

(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)

Full text available for: Health Major Incident : The Experiences of Mobile Medical Team During Major Flood

Year: 2008

Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0


Download the PDF file of the original publication


Summary of article contents:

Introduction

The occurrence of disasters, such as floods, leads to significant ecological changes and health disruptions that affect the daily lives of communities. During the catastrophic floods in Johor on December 19, 2006, areas like Muar, Kota Tinggi, and Segamat faced severe flooding, resulting in the evacuation of victims to inadequately prepared relief centers. The floods exacerbated public health issues, as victims were predisposed to various illnesses due to limited access to clean water, poor sanitation, and overcrowding. In this context, mobile clinics emerged as a vital solution to provide medical care to those who struggled to access conventional healthcare facilities.

Mobile Medical Relief Teams: A Viable Solution

The Disaster and Emergency Medical Team (DEMAT) from Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, alongside the non-governmental organization Medic Asia, formed a mobile medical relief team to address the urgent medical needs of flood victims in remote areas. This initiative focused on visiting several designated relief centers, where health assessments had been conducted prior to deployment. Over a span of three days, the team treated a total of 170 patients, highlighting the prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections and other medical issues. This model of mobile healthcare not only improved access to treatment but also facilitated health education and support for the community, demonstrating its effectiveness and necessity during crises.

Conclusion

The experience gained from providing humanitarian medical assistance during the Johor floods underscores the importance of mobile medical teams in disaster management. As conventional healthcare facilities face disruptions due to such events, mobile clinics serve as a critical resource to bridge the gap between victims and healthcare services. By bringing healthcare directly to affected populations, these teams can effectively address immediate medical needs, ensure continuity of care, and aid in the overall recovery of the community post-disaster. The successful implementation of such initiatives paves the way for future disaster response strategies that prioritize health and well-being in the face of emergencies.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What is the primary objective of the Mobile Medical Team?

The primary objective of the Mobile Medical Team is to provide medical and humanitarian assistance to flood victims in remote areas, ensuring that those who have difficulty accessing medical facilities receive necessary healthcare.

What types of illnesses were common among the flood victims?

Common illnesses included upper respiratory tract infections, musculoskeletal problems, headaches, hypertension, and dermatological issues. The most frequent were viral URTIs, with various ailments linked to the flood conditions reported.

How many patients were treated during the relief mission?

A total of 170 patients were treated during the mobile clinic mission, with a majority of the victims being adults. The outreach spanned over three days from January 3 to January 6, 2007.

What organization collaborated with Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia for the mission?

The Disaster and Emergency Medical Team (DEMAT) from Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia collaborated with a non-governmental organization, Medic Asia, to form a mobile medical relief team for flood victims in Johor.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Mobile Medical Team's Experience During Major Flood Incident”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Table:
In the context of the article, 'Table' refers to the organized representation of data collected during the humanitarian mission. Tables, such as those detailing patient demographics and illnesses treated, provide a clear and concise format for presenting information, making it easier to analyze and summarize the findings from the relief efforts.

2) Raya:
The word 'Raya' in the text pertains to 'Balai Raya,' which indicates community halls or gathering places in the affected villages. These locations served as relief centers during the flood disaster, housing victims and allowing for the provision of medical care and services needed for recovery and support.

3) Kota (Koṭa):
The term 'Kota,' referring to places like 'Kota Tinggi,' identifies specific towns impacted by the flood disaster in Johor. Such geographical references help localize the events and the scope of the disaster, providing context for the humanitarian efforts coordinated in the vicinity and their significance to those affected.

4) Samat:
Samat is a reference to an individual, specifically Yang Berhormat Tuan Haji Samat Aripin, who played a role during the mission. This name highlights the collaboration between the medical teams and local officials, fundamental to coordinating relief efforts and ensuring medical care effectively reaches the flood victims in remote areas.

5) Water:
'Water' is crucial in discussions about health disruptions during disasters like floods. The lack of clean water supply can lead to various health issues among victims, such as waterborne diseases. It emphasizes the importance of safe drinking water for recovery efforts amid the chaos of a flood disaster.

6) Food:
The mention of 'Food' underscores the importance of providing proper nutrition to flood victims living in crowded relief centers. Poor food quality or lack of access to healthy food can contribute to illness among affected populations, making it imperative for relief teams to address nutritional needs in their care strategies.

7) Pur (Pūr):
'Poor' likely refers to the inadequate living conditions experienced by flood victims. This term highlights the vulnerability of affected communities and the challenges they face, including limited access to healthcare, sanitation, and essential services, which exacerbates health risks and hinders recovery efforts during and after a disaster.

8) Education:
In the context of the article, 'Education' refers to the efforts made by volunteers, particularly in providing health education to the affected community. Educating victims about health and hygiene practices is critical in preventing illness, promoting recovery, and empowering the community to better manage post-disaster challenges.

9) Village:
These locations, such as Kampung Sungai Berani and Kampung Sentosa, serve as focal points for the humanitarian response, reflecting the reach and needs of the medical relief efforts.

10) Family:
The term 'Family' is relevant as many healthcare providers, including doctors and paramedics, were also flood victims concerned for their own families' safety. This aspect humanizes the healthcare response, highlighting the commitment of medical personnel to serve the community while managing their own personal challenges during the disaster.

11) Reason:
'Reason' pertains to the underlying factors contributing to the prevalence of illnesses among flood victims. Various reasons such as inadequate sanitation, poor access to clean water, and disruption of normal daily activities like food provision magnify health risks during a disaster, necessitating a tailored medical response from relief teams.

12) Bharu (Bhāru):
'Bharu,' relating to Kota Bharu, signifies a location associated with the journey of the medical relief team. Mentioning this place emphasizes the geographic scope of the mission and the logistical aspects of travel required to deliver aid, underlining the collaborative efforts across regions to support affected individuals.

13) Money:
The term 'Money' suggests the financial challenges associated with restoring normal health services post-disaster. Insufficient funds can hinder recovery efforts and delay the establishment of healthcare facilities, making it essential for both governmental and non-governmental organizations to ensure funding is available for effective disaster response and recovery.

14) Seri (Serī, Sheri):
'Seri' refers to 'Seri Pekembar complex,' the location for team briefings during the mission. This signifies the logistical and organizational aspects of disaster response, emphasizing the importance of having structured meetings to assess needs and coordinate activities effectively among the medical team and local authorities in relief efforts.

15) Jaya (Jāyā, Jayā):
'Jaya' suggests a sense of success or prosperity, but in this context, it refers to Pagoh Jaya, a locale tied to the logistical planning of the mission. Its mention illustrates the various centers in the region that facilitate the response efforts and the outreach performed to aid flood victims.

16) Raja (Rāja, Rājā):
'Raja' is part of 'Kampung Raja,' indicating another specific village impacted by the flood. Mentioning these locations provides insight into the areas targeted for relief efforts, highlighting the diversity of communities affected and the critical importance of tailored medical responses to meet their unique needs during disasters.

17) Male (Mālē):
'Male' refers to the gender demographic of flood victims treated, indicating a statistical breakdown of patients. Understanding gender distribution is vital for assessing health needs and tailoring public health interventions, ensuring that the medical relief efforts cater to specific health risks and patterns seen in different demographics.

18) Road:
'Road' alludes to the disruption caused to normal transportation routes during the flood. Loss of access complicates logistical efforts for relief teams and adversely affects victims' ability to reach healthcare services. Highlighting the condition of roads emphasizes the challenges that need to be addressed during disaster management and recovery.

Other Science Concepts:

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Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Mobile Medical Team's Experience During Major Flood Incident’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Public health, Psychological impact, Medical care, Disease outbreak, Health education, Mobile clinic, Humanitarian assistance, Health resources.

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