Post-Tsunami Medical Care: Health Problems Encountered in the International Committee of the Red Cross Hospital in Banda Aceh, Indonesia

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
pp. S1-S7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynda J. Redwood-Campbell ◽  
Louis Riddez
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Medical Problems ◽  
Field Hospital ◽  
Conflict Zones ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
Banda Aceh

AbstractIntroduction:When the Tsunami struck Asia on 26 December 2004, Aceh, Indonesia suffered more damage than did any other region. After the Tsunami, many humanitarian organizations provided aid in Aceh. For example, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), along with the Indonesian and Norwegian Red Cross opened a field hospital in Banda Aceh on 16 January 2005. This study describes the illnesses seen in the out-patient department/casualty department (OPD/CD) of the ICRC hospital nine weeks after the Tsunami. It describes the percentage of people seen for problems directly related to the Tsunami, and includes a basic screening for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Methods:A prospective, five-day study was performed from 01–05 March 2005. Patients registering in the ICRC field hospital in Banda Aceh were considered for the study. Data collected included: (1) age; (2) gender; (3) diagnosis in the OPD/CD; and (4) whether or not the problem was related directly to the Tsunami. Seven basic questions were asked to screen for depression and PTSD symptoms.Results:Twelve percent of the problems seen in the OPD/CD nine weeks after the Tsunami still were related directly to the Tsunami. Sixty-three percent of patients in the study were male. The medical problems included: (1) urological (19%); (2) digestive (16%); (3) respiratory (12%); and (4) musculoskeletal (12%). Although <2% of patients were diagnosed with a mental health problem, 24% had at least four or more of the seven depression/PTSD symptoms addressed in the study.Conclusions:Post-earthquake and post-tsunami health problems and medical needs differ from those found in conflict zones. After the Tsunami, both surgical and primary healthcare teams were needed. Many problems were chronic medical problems, which may be indicative of the lack of healthcare infrastructure before the Tsunami. The findings suggest that mental health issues must be taken into consideration for future planning. The ethical issues of performing research in complex emergencies also need further development at the international level.

World Health Organization

1961 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-313 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Political Stability ◽  
International Committee ◽  
World Health ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Director General ◽  
Medical Problems ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
Health Organization

The Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO) held its 26th session in Geneva from October 25 to November 4, 1960, under the chairmanship of Dr. H. M. Penido. Dr. M. G. Candau, Director-General of WHO, reported on WHO assistance to the Republic of the Congo (Leopoldville) deriving from the request of the Secretary-General and the Security Council in July 1960 that WHO take part in the UN emergency program in the Congo. Twenty-eight WHO staff members had immediately been assigned to the Congo, and within a few weeks 28 medical teams had been sent by 25 national Red Cross, Red Crescent, and Red Lion and Sun Societies as the result of an appeal by WHO to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the League of Red Cross Societies. These teams made it possible to get a number of hospitals operating again in the cities and in the interior. To meet the long-range medical needs of the Congo where there were as yet no native doctors, assistants medicaux were selected for further training and given WHO fellowships to attend medical schools so that they might become fully qualified doctors. To cope with the crisis the UN guaranteed the funds necessary for WHO to engage 130 health workers of all categories to work for the Congolese government. Dr. Candau concluded his report by emphasizing that, if political stability and normal administration could be effectuated, the medical problems of the Congo would not be difficult to solve; the preventative work carried out under the Belgian administration could then be resumed and the threat of the spread of disease effectively averted.

17 December 1996: Six ICRC delegates assassinated in Chechnya

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (317) ◽  
pp. 140-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Bugnion
Keyword(s):  
Late Summer ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Field Hospital ◽  
Large Numbers

In the early hours of 17 December 1996, six delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross were assassinated in a brutal attack by gunmen at the ICRC hospital in Novye Atagi, near Grozny.In late summer 1996, the ICRC had decided to open a field hospital in Chechnya because the main hospitals in Grozny had been seriously damaged, thus leaving large numbers of war-wounded without proper care.

Yemen — Cyprus — Laos — Indonesia — The Balkans

1965 ◽  
Vol 5 (46) ◽  
pp. 33-36
Keyword(s):  
Civil War ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Field Hospital ◽  
The Balkans ◽  
Medical Teams ◽  
Hospital Equipment ◽  
Operating Unit ◽  
Surgical Operations

Since the beginning of its medical programme on behalf of the victims of the civil war raging in the Yemen, the International Committee of the Red Cross has treated some 14,500 persons. Of these 9100 wounded and sick made their way by their own resources to the field hospital at Uqhd in Royalist territory in Northeast Yemen; a further 900 were admitted to the hospital; 4500 were examined and treated by the mobile medical teams in the fighting areas. We would add that 786 surgical operations have been performed at Uqhd in the complete and air-conditioned “clinobox” operating unit sent as part of the hospital equipment by the ICRC.

scholarly journals Childhood abuse and its association with adults’ mental health problems: a cross-sectional study among men and women in the Yangon Region of Myanmar

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e045870
Author(s):  
Win Thuzar Aye ◽  
Lars Lien ◽  
Hein Stigum ◽  
Espen Bjertness
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Adult Mental Health

ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of emotional, physical and sexual childhood abuse, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to examine the association between childhood abuse and adult mental health problems, including mental distress and PTSD symptoms.DesignA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Childhood abuse was assessed with the NorVold Abuse Questionnaire, and mental distress and symptoms of PTSD were measured using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist 10 and the Impact of Event Scale—Revised, respectively. The Wald test and multiple linear regression analysis were applied for testing differences between proportions and the association between childhood abuse and adult mental health outcomes, respectively.SettingUrban and rural areas of the Yangon Region, Myanmar.ParticipantsA total of 2377 men and women aged 18–49 years were included. Institutionalised people, monks, nuns and individuals deemed too ill physically and/or mentally to participate were excluded.ResultsOverall, 21.1% (95% CI 18.8 to 23.6) reported any form of childhood abuse, 10.4% (95% CI 8.9 to 12.4) physical abuse, 10.4% (95% CI 8.8 to 12.2) emotional abuse and 7.3% (95% CI 5.7 to 9.3) sexual abuse. Childhood abuse was more common in women (29.8%) than in men (12.4%). The prevalence of PTSD symptoms in the total sample was 6.6%. After adjusting for confounding variables, positive associations were found between childhood abuse with adult mental distress and PTSD symptoms among women and older men.ConclusionsChildhood abuse is prevalent among both men and women in the Yangon Region of Myanmar and associated with adult mental health problems. Approximately 7% of people report PTSD symptoms. It should prompt local health professionals and policy makers to establish prevention programmes to eliminate violence against children and to organise services for victims of childhood abuse. Care should be taken in generalising findings for less populated areas.

International Committee's action in the Yemen

1964 ◽  
Vol 4 (37) ◽  
pp. 181-183
Keyword(s):  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Field Hospital ◽  
North East

After several months of relative calm, a renewal of fighting has been reported in North East Yemen, a region in which is located the field hospital established by the International Committee of the Red Cross last November.

scholarly journals What price freedom? Global reporting trends and journalistic integrity

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-20
Author(s):  
Chris Cramer
Keyword(s):  
News Media ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Conflict Zones ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Keynote Speech ◽  
The University ◽  
Sydney Australia

Commentary: On 18 May 2009, the ABC’s Ultimo Centre in Sydney, Australia, and on May 22, Massey University’s Wellington campus in New Zealand were host to twin conferences on war reporting.  Jointly organised by the global aid organisation International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Australian Centre of Independent Journalism at the University of Technology, Sydney, and Massey’s School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing, the conferences were attended and contributed to by senior international and national news media people—including many who had themselves reported wars—as well as humanitarian, legal and military representatives.  The conferences addressed: the role and responsibilities of the journalist in reporting conflict; media, humanitarian and military relationships; an apparent increasing targeting of journalists in conflict zones; and the application of international humanitarian law in times of conflict. The following address by Chris Cramer was the keynote speech at both conferences.

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