Database of Health Workforce Innovations
694
International Emergency Medical Teams in the Aftermath of the 2015 Nepal Earthquake
On April 25, 2015, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, followed by several aftershocks. The quakes left more than 8,962 dead and 22,302 injured. Damage to health facilities involved the full or partial destruction of over 46% of hospitals and 30% of primary health centers and health posts in the 14 most affected districts.
the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) in Kathmandu, Nepal activated the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) to rapidly deploy N-EMTs and coordinate trauma care. Several I-EMTs arrived in-country and deployed before a coordination mechanism for I-EMTs was set up. On April 29, the WHO set up an EMT Coordination Cell to support the MoHP to coordinate the registration, arrival, tasking, and supervision of I-EMTs deployed to the country.
The first I-EMTs deployed were the military medical teams from Bhutan and India, which arrived within the first 24 hours after the earthquake. On day two, national army teams from Bangladesh and China, and the Pakistan medical team were in the field. By day three, at least 11 I-EMTs had deployed, including the Israel Defense Force, a Type III I-EMT. By day seven (May 1), 83 I-EMTs had registered to deploy, 70 of which were already allocated specific tasks and locations for deployment. On May 6, around 112 I-EMTs were working in the country. By May 14, a total of 121 I-EMTs had deployed, with only 72 I-EMTs remaining operational in the field at that time. The number of I-EMTs reduced to 41 by May 21, and to 25 by June 1.
The first I-EMTs deployed were the military medical teams from Bhutan and India, which arrived within the first 24 hours after the earthquake. On day two, national army teams from Bangladesh and China, and the Pakistan medical team were in the field. By day three, at least 11 I-EMTs had deployed, including the Israel Defense Force, a Type III I-EMT. By day seven (May 1), 83 I-EMTs had registered to deploy, 70 of which were already allocated specific tasks and locations for deployment. On May 6, around 112 I-EMTs were working in the country. By May 14, a total of 121 I-EMTs had deployed, with only 72 I-EMTs remaining operational in the field at that time. The number of I-EMTs reduced to 41 by May 21, and to 25 by June 1.
- Solidarity staffing (eg deployments to/from other jurisdictions)
- Military Health Workers
- Nurse Practitioners*
- Nurse Specialists*
- Nurses - Licensed Practical
- Nurses - Registered
- Physicians - Emergency
- Physicians - Intensive Care
- Physicians - Primary/Family
- Physicians - Specialists
- Other Health Care Workers
National and International Emergency Medical Teams (N-EMTs and I-EMTs)
provide medical assistance to disaster-affected populations world-wide.
provide medical assistance to disaster-affected populations world-wide.
- Critical Care
- Emergency Medical Services
- Hospitals
- Public Health
The initiative involves a system to classify EMTs, minimum standards for I-EMTs (previously called Foreign Medical Teams), and mechanisms for EMT registration and quality assurance
Formal Strategy
Amat Camacho, N., Karki, K., Subedi, S., & von Schreeb, J. (2019). International Emergency Medical Teams in the Aftermath of the 2015 Nepal Earthquake. Prehospital and disaster medicine, 34(3), 260–264.
Nieves Amat Camacho, RN, MSc
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Department of Public Health Sciences Karolinska Institutet
Asia
Sweden