1P-SS1-06

RESPONSE OF PEDIATRIC TRAINING CENTERS TO THE 1999 EARTHQUAKES IN TURKEY

Ertem IO¹

¹Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

Objective: In August 1999, an earthquake, registering 7.4 on the Richter scale, struck the Marmara region of western Turkey. The earthquake resulted in 17,453 reported deaths and 43,953 reported injuries. In November 1999, a second earthquake, registering 6.8 on the Richter scale, hit the Bolu-Duzce area in northwest Turkey, which had been damaged by the previous earthquake. This resulted in 857 deaths and 4,892 injuries. It was estimated that the earthquakes affected a total of 200,000 children. We assessed the response of pediatricians to the earthquakes in a survey of the 26 major pediatric training centers in Turkey.

Methods: A semistructured questionnaire was mailed to directors of the training centers. This questionnaire requested information on whether the centers sent monetary aid, supplies or pediatricians to the sites; treated pediatric casualties or developed programs to enhance healthcare delivery to children affected by disaster.

Results: Of the 21 training centers that responded to the questionnaire, 90% provided monetary aid or supplies and 73% sent pediatricians to the sites. Although a total of 236 pediatricians from these centers volunteered or were employed at the sites, most were involved in caring for adults as well as children and were unable to provide continuous programs for children. Pediatric training centers collaborated most frequently with the Ministry of Health and non-governmental organizations in delivering services, but collaboration with UNICEF and Turkish pediatric associations was rare. More than half of the centers identified a need for training in disaster management and for programs related to the special needs of children to be organized before disasters occurred.

Conclusion: Despite the immediate mobilization of pediatric training centers after the earthquakes in Turkey, comprehensive healthcare services for children have not received pediatric input. A collaborative multidisciplinary model that specifically serves children and their families is needed during and after disasters.