Workshop Summaries

STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR EARTHQUAKE RELIEF EFFORTS

(NATIONAL STAFF REPRESENTATIVES)

Facilitator: Dr. Harry Geffrard

PREPARED BY
VICTORIA JEAN-LOUIS
MELANIE Y BRIERRE
R&R OFFICE ICC

R&R Office ICC Strategic Planning of GCH Reconstruction and Relief Efforts

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STRATEGIC PLANNING OF GCH RECONSTRUCTION AND RELIEF EFFORTS

WORKSHOP 3: “STRATEGIC PLANNING OF EARTH-

QUAKE RELIEF EFFORTS”
Background: Members of the R&R office joined key GCH staff Wednesday March 31st to discuss
the impact January 12th has had on GCH infrastructure, local staff, patients and those residing in
communities belonging to the lower Delmas region.

Objective: The purpose of the planning session was to identify the consequences the quake has
had on each of these groups and agree on specific, concrete interventions which could bring relief
in the immediate future. While there were numerous consequences listed for each group, only
those with specific corrective measures are mentioned here.

Summary of Results:

GCH Infrastructure

Consequence 1: Nearly 80% of hospital buildings have been damaged beyond repair

Intervention : Construct adequate transitional facilities to house inpatient and

outpatient clinics along with hospital administration. Structures to be
constructed behind the Ophthalmology Clinic away from construction zone

Action: Contact construction firm

Outcome: Ensures GCH will continue to provide patient care services despite
construction activity. TB/HIV inpatients will be transferred from tents in
the yard to a safe/appropriate housing facility. Outpatient clinics and hospital
administration will again operate out of appropriate housing structures.

Consequence 2: As a result of the earthquake there was a major loss of supplies/equipment

Intervention: Complete inventory to evaluate loss

Action: Replace essential materials

Outcome: GCH has necessary supplies and equipment to again be fully functional

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STRATEGIC PLANNING OF GCH RECONSTRUCTION AND RELIEF EFFORTS

Consequence 3: Disruption of cost recovery/Decline of patient fees

Intervention: Complete inventory to determine quantities of remaining medications/other

medical supply. Evaluate the need for the next 12 months to have a clear
idea as to the level of need in order to benefit from the current opportuni
ties for receiving humanitarian aid

Action: Complete 12 month inventory

Outcome: By acquiring a sufficient supply of medications and other medical sup -

ply GCH avoids depending too heavily on patient fees

Hospital Employees and their families

Consequence 1: Loss of human life (staff/ family members)

Intervention: Organize a formal prayer for employees, patients and parents of deceased
employees

Action: Decide on time, date, and location

Outcome: By providing a space and time for collective grieving it is hoped that time
spent in prayer will bring comfort and strength as staff and family deal
with the loss of loved ones.

Consequence 2: Many GCH employees continue to suffer from the effects of Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder and are, as a result, less fit to provide care to their patients

Intervention: Provide GCH psychologists and social workers with the necessary
training in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Organize a staff
education program focused on Catastrophe Response/ Evacuation Stratgies

Action: Recruit a specialist in PTSD/Catastrophe to train GCH staff

Outcome: Psychologists will be better prepared to identify and manage those

suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The effects of psychological
trauma sustained by GCH staff are expected to be eased with continued
psychological support and the provision of appropriate training in Catastro-
phe Response

Consequence 3: Loss of shelter/homes/household items

Intervention: To determine the loss and attempt to compensate

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STRATEGIC PLANNING OF GCH RECONSTRUCTION AND RELIEF EFFORTS

Action: Collect and evaluate questionnaire that was sent out to employees to docu-
ment their material loss. Design a plan to provide some form of transitional
housing.

Outcome: The sense of desolation will be alleviated and GCH staff will be able to at-
tend to other pressing needs.

Patients

Consequence 1: Psychological Trauma

Intervention: Focus on the provision of Psycho-Social Services. Increase staff and expand
services

Action: Recruit 1 additional psychiatrist, 1 additional psychologist, and 2 additional

social workers

Outcome: It is expected that the services provided by the team of qualified

psycho-social health providers will help patients and their families better
cope with post quake trauma

Consequence 2: Many GCH patients were left homeless after the Earthquake

Intervention: Establish a stock of tents/ tarps to be distributed to those most in need

Action: Purchase tents and tarps

Outcome: Ensures relief for patients still living without adequate shelter

Community Members

Consequence 1: Lack of hygiene, increased promiscuity, increased morbidity etc.

Intervention: Develop a mobile community health education team to conduct health

education sessions on core health themes including: personal hygiene, diar
rhea control, TB, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, family planning, environmental, hy-
giene, waste management and STDs. Possibly include hygiene kits to be
distributed as incentive for participation in sessions.

Action: Recruit nurse educators, develop educational materials, purchase education

material/tools

Outcome: Healthier population as a result of a more informed and engaged population

Consequence 2: Following the earthquake the number of amputees has risen exponentially
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STRATEGIC PLANNING OF GCH RECONSTRUCTION AND RELIEF EFFORTS

Intervention: Establish an amputee registry to determine the possibilities for the

development of a prosthetic rehabilitation program

Action: Develop registry

Outcome: Having located local amputees GCH will be better able to refer them to
adequate health services and ensure that these individuals receive appropri-
ate care.

Consequence 3: Many children have been orphaned as a result of earthquake

Intervention: Conduct a census to locate and register orphans in GCH catchment area

Action: Conduct census

Outcome: Having located and registered local orphans GCH will be better able to
provide or refer out to appropriate health and assistance services

Follow up Action:
Follow up meeting will be held in the coming week to begin developing a comprehensive op-
erational relief plan detailing points discussed in this document and others. This planning will
help ICC finalize how it will use the funds that have been raised in Canada and USA desig-
nated for “relief” (as opposed to reconstruction).

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STRATEGIC PLANNING OF GCH RECONSTRUCTION AND RELIEF EFFORTS

Dr. Frédérick Vilmé, Victoria Jean-Louis, and Dr. John Yates Survey hospital damage

R&R Office ICC Strategic Planning of GCH Reconstruction and Relief Efforts

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 Workshop Summaries

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