Human Resources for Health Planning In Emergencies: A Situation Analysis

ID # 11012195, PG Certificate HRH NM-252

INTRODUCTION

Disasters in Pakistan

Figure 1: Percentage of reported people killed by disaster type

Rationale:

HRH Statistics in Pakistan

Since the latter half of the 20th century there has been a rise in the number of countries experiencing conflicts. Analysis of conflicts indicate that civil war is the most common form of conflict; 103 out of the 110 recorded conflicts between 1989 and 2000 were civil conflict (World Bank, 2002c) Southeast Asia is situated in the region that is prone to natural disasters and, last year it was massively hit by many natural disasters like tsunami , earthquake, flood and other calamities and suffered a colossal human and economic losses(CHAN H,2012)

Pakistan is prone to disaster risks mainlyearthquakes in 2005 ,floods in 2010 & 2011, droughts, epidemics, river erosion and tsunami, other major events like , Atta bad Landslide, Topical Cyclone “PHET”, and many calamities(NDMA Report, 2010).

Disasters, natural or man-made result in untold misery on the human beings and adverse effects on the ecology and economy.

So far not much research has been documented regarding health work force planning during emergency /disaster situations in Pakistan.

So the prime purpose of my study is to reveal the response and performance of Government sector towards emergencies.

TOTAL NUMBER OF DOCTORS / DENTAL SURGEONS(G.P's with basic degree only)REGISTERED UP TO 29th February, 2012

source: Pakistan Medical and Dental Council

Table 1: estimated median numbers of total health workers, doctors and nurses working in the district health system.Source: A. Hafeez, Z. Khan, K.M. Bile, R. Jooma and M. Sheikh, Pakistan human resources for health assessment, 2009, EMHJ, Vol. 16 Supplement 2010

(source: NHEPRN)

89%

2% 8%

1%

earthquack

strom

flood

extreme temperature

Aim:

Objectives:

Methodology:

Inclusion criteria:

Exclusion criteria:

ResultsSituational analysis:

TRAININGS

Response:

To improve Health Human Resource for disasters in Pakistan

To review the National Human Resource for Health Planning in Pakistan during emergency situation.

To reveal the status of HRH Planning regarding emergencies.

By in depth interview of key informants from National Health emergency Preparedness and Response Network (NHEPRN), by review of secondary published data by National Disaster management Authority Pakistan and By e-mail exchange from a key informant.

National organizations involve in disaster management

All UN agencies, NGOS, INGOs, Voluntary and charity organizations (due to time constraints)

thIn the wake of 18 amendment, the Ministry of Health has been devolved to the provinces.

There is no policy and standard formulated for HRH planning so far.

There are provincial health emergency centers working at lower level. Director General heading the provincial offices.

CDC cell in Punjab while HEPR cells in all other provinces.

No specific human resource is deployed for emergency situation rather the health workers already working are trained and contacted at the time of emergencies.

National Health Emergency Preparedness and Response network (NHEPRN) is responsible for all health related activities regarding disasters / emergencies.

After devolution situation is changed. NHEPRN is not directly involved but their provincial offices are involved. Like arrangement of medicine, food, education and sanitation. Health activities are through HEPRA one UN Reform like after flood the provision of anti snake venom or distribution of Long Lasting insecticide treated bed nets for Malaria prevention.

SERIAL NUMBERS NAME OF THE TRAINING

NUMBER OF TRAININGS DONE

NUMBER OF PERSONS TRAINED.

1 Hospital preparedness for

emergencies

1 22

2 Basic life supportand First aid

training to Motor way Police.

3 550

50514, 40%

52847, 42%

14390, 11%

3760, 3%

2260, 2% 3160, 2%

M.B.B.S.

Punjab/Federal Area

Sindh

K.P.K

Balochistan

A.J.K.

Foreign Nationals

4356, 40%

3949, 36%

1698, 15%

284, 3%

219, 2%414, 4%

B.D.S

Punjab/Federal Area

Sindh

K.P.K

Balochistan

A.J.K.

Foreign Nationals

At province and district level there is a command office.

Policies and Standards ought to be formulated for HRH in Emergencies. Harmonize polices needed between Headquarters and Field staff

More Staff Development and Training for Emergencies is required.

Empowering Human Resource professionals in staff care. Increase management support dealing with on the ground staff care issues. This needs to be a prioritized.

There is a dire need to collaborate with other agencies.

Team building for deployment – not just skill set but need team.

HOI YING CHAN (2012), Disaster Relief Brings Together US and Southeast Asia. Available at http://aseanmattersforamerica.org/natural-disaster-relief-brings-together-us-and-southeast-asia/776 accessed at 25/3/2012National disaster Management Authority, Annual Report, 2010. Available at http://ndma.gov.pk/Documents/Annual%20Report/NDMA%20Annual%20Report%202010.pdf access at 12/3/2012Personal communication with the key informant of National Health Emergency Response and Preparedness Network on 22rd March 2012.

thPersonal communication with the senior staff member of Health Services Academy on 26 March, 2012.World Bank (2002c). The structure of rebel organizations, implications for post-conflict reconstruction.Washington, DC, World Bank Conflict Prevention and Reconstruc-tion Unit. Dissemination Notes No. 4, June 2002.

COORDINATION MECHANISM

GAPS (within action fields of HAF)

RECOMMENDATIONS

CONCLUSION

REFERENCES

There are number of gaps in Human Resources for Health planning regarding emergencies/disasters, like lack of HRH policy and standards, less number of Trainings and lack of staff development etc.

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