Typhoon Haiyan Project: Rebuilding Leyte, Philippines
Background: Ensuring optimum health is a basic service that governments are mandated to address. In industrialized countries as the United States, Health Insurance Systems, guarantees access to advanced medical technologies and treatments for citizens. Basic needs as food, shelter, security, and education, are also provided. Things like electricity, heat, safe drinking water, transportation, and safe infrastructure are lacking in Third World countries, where health disparities are a major concern. The economic struggles in the Philippines, is truly challenging. Natural calamities are common occurrences, together with insurgencies, corruption and government destabilization that contribute to the woes of a Republic, trying to gain stable footing in the community of nations. In the aftermath of the destructions of Typhoon Haiyan, in 2013, particularly in the Leyte province, the need for immediate, sustainable health care for individuals living in 300 communities in this coastal province, becomes more palpable in its urgency. The global community has responded with relief efforts aimed at rebuilding the lives of those affected, and together with the national government, the task towards regaining a structured normalcy remains challenging.
Methods: The Global Health Initiative Program of the School of Nursing/Charles R. Drew University is taking heed to the call to action. The students, faculty, alumni and administration are coordinating with other non-government and faith- based organizations to send Medical/Surgical/dental Mission Trips to Leyte by February of 2015. Also, health promotion and disease prevention lectures and demonstration will be conducted by the MMDSON students which would include proper hand hygiene, safe food preparation and storage, common remedies for diseases such as dehydration, cough and colds, insect bites, and skin infections. Important health screenings will be provided regarding detection/management/prevention of Diabetes, Hypertension/Cardiovascular diseases, thyroid disorders and malnutrition. We will update Health information Boards in 30 Rural Health Units in cooperation with USAID and Department of Health.
Results: The recent fact-finding mission in August 2014, revealed grim statistics of the health needs of the poor people in this region. It is difficult to imagine how villagers are able to overcome emergencies that can arise at any given time, with the limited health personnel ( 1 MD, 2 RNs, 3 Midwives, 1 Dentist). The nearest tertiary hospital is a 9 hours commute. Pharmaceutical supplies are limited and basic health screening services as immunizations are held once a month. Maternal mortality and morbidity remains high. Health care access is difficult especially in the most remote areas. Fatalistic beliefs and use of herbal/ folk remedies are popular, as could be expected of indigent families. The economy of this fourth class municipality is not enough to allocate funds for decent health services, thus the need for external help become obvious.
Implications: Establishment of a link towards the attainment of sustainable health and education programs is the goal of the CDU-MMDSON which would bridge the gaps and disparities and thereby improving the lives of the Leyte Community.