UCD – Masters in Humanitarian Action Public Health Module Assignment for 2012

The early stages of a humanitarian crisis are crucial for the survival of victims and for determining the planning of assistance to the stricken community. For a public health response to be fast, effective and appropriate, it must be based on an initial assessment soon after the crisis, which will be used to recognize and quantify the emergency, and to readjust strategies and plans accordingly. Once a programme of assistance is under way, periodic assessments will assist evaluation of the effectiveness of response and recovery. IMPORTANCE OF THE HEALTH ASSESSMENT Health assessments are a systematic way of collecting information in a complex emergency situation, with the information gathered assisting in planning, directing and implementing an appropriate response (WHO, 1999). The objectives are to evaluate the magnitude of an ongoing emergency and to determine the major health and nutrition related needs. Interpretation is done according to each specific context and the assessment results in concrete recommendation for field operations (MSF, 2006). This provides essential information not only to the decision-makers, allowing them to identify the intervention priorities but also to the international community and donors (WHO, 1999). According to MSF (2006), objectives of health assessment are - 1. To decide whether or not to intervene: whether an intervention is required and is feasible in view of the context. 2. To define the priorities of intervention: although these priorities are mostly standardized, it is frequently necessary to adapt them to the particular situation. 3. To plan the implementation of these priorities: deciding strategies, determining the resources needed and working out the time frame. 4. To pass on information, as well as observations of refugee living conditions and the human rights situation to the international community and donors. FUNDAMENTALS OF THE PLANNING OF AN INITIAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT Basis of the initial assessment - The objective during the acute phase of humanitarian crisis is to reduce the excess mortality at earliest and to stabilize the populations’ health situation. Considering the elements of determinants of health as well as the ‘main killer of diseases’, following operational priorities have been identified, commonly known as top ten priorities (MSF, 1997). These top priorities are the basis of any assessment and ideally the subsequent interventions are multisectoral, covering each of those priorities (Salama P. 2004). According to Moren, A, Rigal, J. (1992), these 10 priorities are - 1. Rapid assessment of the health status of the population 2. Mass vaccination against measles 3. Water Supply and implementation of the sanitary measures 4. Food supply and implementation of specialized nutritional rehabilitation programmes. 5. Shelter, site planning and non food items 6. Curative care base on the use of standardised therapeutic protocols, using essential drugs 7. Control and prevention of communicable diseases and potential epidemics 8. Surveillance and alert 9. Assessment of human resources, training and supervision of community health workers 10. Coordination of different operational partners.