Source : dailystar.com.lb
Category : Physicians Group
By : Rayane Abou Jaoude
Posted By : Health Care Facilities Casselberry
Health professionals presented Tuesday a plan to fortify hospitals and deliver better medical equipment, hastened by festering regional tensions and their potentially devastating effects on Lebanon. The brief meeting, presided over by the head of the Order of Physicians, Antoine Boustany, included Dr. Suleiman Haroun, head of the Association of Private Hospitals; Secretary-General of the Lebanese Red Cross Georges Kettane; the heads of the syndicates of pharmacists, dentists and nurses, as well as representatives from the World Health Organization and the Social Affairs Ministry. Participants presented an anticipatory plan, aimed at reinforcing medical centers and medical equipment needs in hospitals, clinics and schools across the country to improve preventive measures in light of a volatile security situation. Boustany described the plan as “pre-emptive,” for the sake of preparedness, adding that one of its purposes was to protect civilians against a potential chemical attack. He said that it also addressed other important national issues, including supporting a Syrian refugee influx. “We want to anticipate the problems with a preventive approach,” Boustany said. “We have a pre-emptive vision for the difficult situations we may witness.” The plan focuses on establishing an emergency committee with representatives from the Health and Social Affairs ministries; the syndicates representing physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, dentists and nurses; the World Health Organization; the Red Cross; Civil Defense; and members of the media.
It also centers on identifying and boosting specialized doctors and emergency personnel as well as Red Cross volunteers, nurses and members of Civil Defense. Hospitals, medical centers and clinics would also be equipped with necessary medical supplies, such as masks and gloves. The plan also includes an public advocacy component to spread awareness on the dangers of toxic and nontoxic bombs and various treatments in the event of an attack, and preparing emergency plans for schools in cooperation with the Education Ministry. The plan also involves establishing centers for refugees and implementing measures to fight contagious diseases such as Leishmaniasis and tuberculosis, establish better methods of communication and develop strategies of psychological support for health workers and volunteers. The meeting also called for forming and financially supporting a joint operations room in coordination with the Army, the ISF, the WHO and the Red Cross. According to Haroun, the plan cannot be implemented without securing the necessary funds. He said there were approximately 150,000 cases per year of non-Lebanese in need of hospital treatment, but there was no funding to cover their medical expenses. A number of refugees have been suffering from contagious diseases, caused by overcrowding and poor living conditions. Many have been unable to secure proper treatment.
Source : dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2013/Sep-11/230794-physicians-group-presents-plan-for-emergencies.ashx#axzz2gXnurnrK
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