Japanese model being considered for disaster management

[Lite Beer]

Japanese model being considered for disaster management
Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry is eyeing the operations of a model hospital in Japan with the intention of incorporating its disaster-management procedures into the Thai healthcare system, while Japan's Disaster Management Assistant Team (DMAT) is also being considered as a model for Thai rescue teams.

The initiative follows the ministry's September visit to Ishinomaki Red Cross Hospital in Japan's Miyagi Prefecture - the only designated disaster hospital within the Ishinomaki Medical Zone that was undamaged by the March 2011 earthquake off the Pacific Coast in Tohoku and the following tsunami.

Imamura Masatoshi, the hospital's 402-bed administration division head, said the hospital's management had learned a great deal from the 2011 tsunami and had now set up a disaster-emergency unit manned by a team of five permanent medical staff.

The team, who work alongside university experts and related agencies are not at the hospital to treat patients, but to research and gather information that will help formulate and streamline the hospital's disaster-management procedures, explained Masatoshi.

"The tsunami disaster resulted in many injuries, hence the number of hospital beds and rooms were insufficient, forcing us to use the hospital's lobby area to temporarily treat the injured. After that disaster, the hospital built a new building with 50 additional wards to support our operations - in case another disaster strikes," Imamura added.

The hospital also annually arranges two major drills, each of which serves as a full rehearsal for disaster mitigation and patient evacuation, said Imamura, adding that some divisions of the hospital also held their own weekly drills to check their disaster readiness.

Deputy permanent secretary for Public Health Wachira Pengjuntr told The Nation during the visit that what was most essential during the time of disaster was the information provided to people to keep them alive while waiting for assistance.

He cited the Emergency Management "72-hour-kit" that the Japan government created to educate the public about how to survive for 72 hour after a disaster. Information included in the guidelines explains how to prepare for a disaster, the best escape routes, the safest places in an emergency, and medical considerations, among others.

Wachira claimed the guidelines were affective in assisting 90 per cent of those who used them during the 2011 tsunami, adding that Thailand had yet to develop Emergency Management guidelines.

Wachira also commented that Thai officials learned during the trip that some 500 hospitals in Japan were equipped with at least one DMAT team, which could reach a disaster scene in four minutes.

Each team comprised of 4-6 members including a doctor, nurses and paramedics, who could provide treatment right away, Wachira explained. Thai rescue teams had no doctors; hence treatment could only start when the patient reached the hospital.

-- The Nation 2013-10-20

[chiang mai]

From the headline, I thought...., oh never mind!

[mca]

Japanese model being considered for disaster management

I question her professional qualifications in the field of disaster management but who gives a ****

[JoeThePoster]

If it's any good, it's gonna be pixelated.

[arthurboy]

Why do I get that familiar sinking feeling that yet another fact finding trip abroad will have no real impact on what actually happens in Thailand?

On the plus side, I guess the permanent secretary and his team enjoyed the shopping and hospitality while in Japan. I am also sure that the budget required for the upgrade will be put to good use.

[AbuBacon]

The post Fukushima model should suit the locals. Lie, lie, lie some more, bury the dead, ignore the poor radiated masses, lie again . Should end well, and somchai is already there with all but the gamma rays.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Thaddeus]

Look on the bright side, they've got past the mulling stage............ progress.

[maengda]

From the headline, I thought...., oh never mind!

Same here

[Pib]

The initiative follows the ministry's September visit to Ishinomaki Red Cross Hospital in Japan's Miyagi Prefecture - the only designated disaster hospital within the Ishinomaki Medical Zone that was undamaged by the March 2011 earthquake off the Pacific Coast in Tohoku and the following tsunami.

Imamura Masatoshi, the hospital's 402-bed administration division head, said the hospital's management had learned a great deal from the 2011 tsunami and had now set up a disaster-emergency unit manned by a team of five permanent medical staff.

OK, the Japanese take visitings VIPs to one of their hospital not damaged during the quake....understandable in not wanting to show hospitals damaged during the quake.

And this hospital "did not" have a disaster management plan before the quake...probably using the Thai disaster management technique at that time. So, basically the hospital now has Version 1.0 of a disaster management plan; I think I would rather go visit a hospital that did have a disaster management plan before the quake, improved it based on their quake experience, and are now on Version 2.0.

[mrtoad]

From the headline, I thought...., oh never mind!

So did I, and now I feel conned.

[chainarong]

Its a pretty poor picture the PTP make ,but this is not unusual for the PTP, that Thailand's disaster management guide lines that are in place, need to be changed and now they are racing around trying to fit the Japanese model into Thai one, this will end up as all talk, as per usual, meanwhile the disaster management program will go into oblivion until it's needed, if anything, update the current model with good idea's from any country , but is it necessary from Japan only, Japans management of the tsunami was in some area's found wanting.

[Halion]

The utilization of such plans requires protocols, procedures, systemics, continuous improvement and discipline. All of these qualities are alien within Thai culture.

[fogoyes]

a disaster management like fukoshima? for sure a good choise!

[Totster]

Hands up who came here looking for a Japanese model ?

Here is one in case you were..

totster

[mrtoad]

Do you have anymore pics?

[soi41]

Come on guys, don't be so negative! Here is the governments vision of the 10 billion baht disaster management ward in Surin:

And all to be financed by the entrance-fee, suggested by the same ministery, for foreigners to enter paradise!

[chiang mai]

Please?

[ronrat]

UNESCO has some very good and updated guidelines on such things as Urban Search and Rescue, Earthqhakes etc. Very few countries can afford the luxury of having tons of people waiting around for something to happen. Singapore is the centre of excellence for this region. But Tsunamis are something different all together. No one could have foretold this would happen (except a few posters on here) and the widespread damage.

Public Hospital networks are a large part of disaster management and there primary aim is to look after themselves first (as in treatment) then isolate and transport where possible casualties to safer areas

UNESCO has probably had a number of conferences in this area but if my experience tells me right this would have happened. Invitation goes to SEA nations and the spots are taken up by ranking military officers who sleep during the conference and at night are all over the hostess bars and the like. Go home and do nothing. The thought of taking medical co-ordinators would not and will not enter their heads.

You can pick any model you like but it will never be implemented. Like it or not in any of these bad scenarios the US and its allies military machines will offer assistance, may be refused, and the on the ground people will run around with with their hands in the air. Any expert advice, eg UNESCO folk will be held up at the airport until deported for visa irregularities.

[Thai at Heart]

Look on the bright side, they've got past the mulling stage............ progress.

Indeed. Where is the "regions urged to adopt Japanese model", stage?

[willyumiii]

Excuse me!

This is the Japanese Model I am considering.

Her name is Yuko Ogura.

[hellodolly]

The na sayers overlook the fact that this model was set up as a result of a natural and unnatural disaster. It was not in play when the disaster hit.

Unlike the Thai government of today the Japanese government has learned lessons from a disaster and made changes to help them react in a better way to any future disaster's.

This is not new information it is almost a month old. In the mean time rather than look at the disasters happening the PTPredshirt government has opted to listen to the clone saying every thing is under control.

What she meant by that statement was there was no flood in her house or in Dubai.

[cbluck58]

From the headline, I thought...., oh never mind!

Same here

Me too - disappointing really - nothing would surprise me though with this govt.

[JoeThePoster]

The bukkake style management of the 2011 flood disaster was a start in the right direction then.

[sunshine51]

Japanese model being considered for disaster management

Disaster managment...sure!

[A1Str8]

I thought we were going to talk about some hot japanese model.

[Cuban]

When major disasters strike there is normally an instant international response with experts in various subjects coming in to provide support for local services.

In the Tsunami Thailand turned away help because of visa and WP4 issues in the Bangkok Flooding turned away help from US Navy in the area - will lessons be learnt from these previous events or not?

Japan has enough experience in earthquakes and recent nuclear meltdown but neither really apply directly to much of Thailand - when preparing for disaster relief operations the key issues are ALWAYS communication and transportation. Look at 3G and road travel in Thailand now to see the gulf yet to cross. They would be better considering the national response to the next bird/swine flu outbreak. Both first stage medical needs but also the economic effects of that section of industry being closed for a year or two.

Good plans are flexible with stages that can be applied in different situations, I suggest that Thais are not good at flexible thinking - it is not taught in schools and company/government hierarchy does not encourage it.

Post tsunami and flooding illustrate this well.

[chiang mai]

Japanese model being considered for disaster management

Japan Model.jpg

Disaster managment...sure!

I love the original caption that goes with your avatar picture.

Edited October 20, 2013 by chiang mai

[Mudcrab]

The utilization of such plans requires protocols, procedures, systemics, continuous improvement and discipline. All of these qualities are alien within Thai culture.

Thank you Sir Humphrey

[colin2]

Excuse me!

This is the Japanese Model I am considering.

Her name is Yuko Ogura.yuko_ogura-1.jpg

She looks about 6 years old !. Make sure that you are sober and check her ID before you bar fine her !.

[pisico]

The utilization of such plans requires protocols, procedures, systemics, continuous improvement and discipline. All of these qualities are alien within Thai culture.

SPOT ON!! The myriad of laws in the books in Thailand amount to zilch because there is no enforcement.

Lest we forget, Thailand is a country that foreign investment developed to this point. The Thai mind is trained and drilled to repeat or copy, not to innovate.

Thais lack foresight. So absorbed they are in their Thainess they cannot see nor conceive anything that will depart from the paths chosen for them... except, new mobile phones, the latest in skin whitening technology, tablets and such, These are the hallmarks of a superficially modern society tethered to the past.

Edited October 20, 2013 by pisico