Equipping Pacific emergency medical teams for self-sufficient health emergency response in remote and resource-limited island settings
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.6.1032Keywords:
logistics, emergency preparedness, emergency medical teamAbstract
Problem: Pacific island countries and areas represent some of the most disaster-vulnerable locations in the world, facing a range of natural and infectious hazards along with incredibly challenging logistics and limited human resource pools.
Context: The World Health Organization supports the development of emergency medical teams across the Western Pacific Region. Since 2021, one aspect of this support has been supplying health emergency response equipment called cache kits for these unique island contexts. This report describes the process of designing and implementing standardized cache kits for these teams.
Action: Emergency medical team cache kits were designed and sourced using a semi-structured six-step approach: 1) problem identification and review of existing literature; 2) targeted key informant interviews and stakeholder consultations; 3) the alignment of cache with the goals and objectives of the teams’ operations; 4) creation of the kits; 5) local and international procurement of selected items; and 6) monitoring of the delivery of cache to destination countries.
Outcome: The Organization procured specialized cache kits for 12 teams across the Pacific subregion. They comprise portable, durable, lightweight equipment that enables teams to deliver high-quality emergency medical care in remote and resource-limited island contexts.
Discussion: The Organization's centralized procurement of the cache kits in the Pacific aimed to facilitate nationally led health emergency responses, enhance team interoperability in the subregion, and ensure access to high-quality equipment in resource-constrained locations. The model established in the Pacific could serve as a blueprint for national emergency medical teams in low- and middle-income countries globally.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
When the Licensor is an intergovernmental organization, disputes will be resolved by mediation and arbitration unless otherwise agreed.
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
