Strengthening and Supporting Health Systems
Value and Challenges of Health Systems Strengthening Value There is strong global consensus on the need to strengthen health systems. “Weak health systems” are often cited as core drivers of…
Considerations for Pandemic Preparedness and Response
Introduction “Although pandemics occur infrequently, planning and preparing for a pandemic is important to ensure an effective response. Planning for and responding to a pandemic is complex and pandemics can…
Medical Response to Disasters
The demands of international disaster relief have changed over the past decade in the spectrum of threats, the field of operations, and scope of medical care. International disasters include large-scale…
Radiological, Biological, and Chemical Agents
Further Reading Although this material is provided as a convenient initial reference, readers are strongly recommended to refer to the resources listed at the end of this chapter for more…
Mental Health in Crisis Regions
Introduction Armed conflicts and natural disasters cause significant challenges to the long-term mental health and psychosocial well-being of the affected population. Millions of people in many countries of the world…
Austere Surgery and Anesthesia
Surgery A significant number of Western physicians and other medical associates develop professional relationships with organizations involved with overseas medical care. The nature and extent of involvement ranges from brief…
Refugees and Internally-Displaced Persons
Background ■ Refugee (based on the 1951 Convention’s Article One): an individual, who, because of actual and present fear of hostility and treatment, as a result of his/her ethnic group,…
