Media Release
Mangaluru, Nov 5: Disasters and their management generally get discussed in their aftermath but practically it should result in planning and preparing the strategy to tackle and mitigate disasters in a responsible and effective manner. Disasters, both natural and unnatural, are macro level events or processes, which induce disturbances and turmoil for a prolonged life- Threatening environment for a community.
India is considered the world’s most disaster prone country. Like many other countries in this region, India is plagued by various kinds of natural disasters every year, such as floods, drought, earthquakes, cyclones and landslides. Millions of people are affected every year and the economic losses caused by natural disasters amount to a major share of the Gross National Product (GNP). In India, a closer analysis of what transforms a natural event into a human and economic disaster reveals that the fundamental problems of development that the country faces are the very same problems that contribute to its vulnerability to the catastrophic effects of natural hazards.
Hospitals play an important role during a disaster response and are also at risk for internal incidents. They are responsible for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters.
The purpose of this workshop is to orient students of Hospital Administration and healthcare stakeholders in Disaster management and Disaster Preparedness to maintain agreed standards of quality and self-sufficiency, resulting in better patient care. With more teams striving to reach these standards, clear guidance on best practice is needed, for managing patients in particular, preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters. This programme aims at developing a culture of preparedness for hazards among the participants leading them to respond to emergencies during disasters in an optimal, hassle free and effective way.
Participants – MHA colleges, hospital administrative staff from hospitals in Mangaluru
Speaker
Hari Balaji hails from Chennai, India and is an alumnus of Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute, India. He is a versatile professional with comprehensive international leadership experience in wide spectrum of service models encompassing healthcare and hospitality for over a decade. He has held management positions in India, Switzerland, Singapore, USA and Kuwait.
His focus areas include:
Facilitating Inter Agency Coordination
Training and Capacity Building
Collaborative Advocacy and
Information Knowledge and Learning Management through a collaborative process
Currently deployed in Kerala as state lead to harmonise inter-agency
Coordination in all flood affected districts and as Health Sector Lead for Joint Disaster Need Analysis (JDNA)
(Deployed by Sphere India in liaison with Kerala State Disaster Management Authority & UN Agencies)
Deployed by Government of Tamil Nadu to conduct Disaster Management workshop in all 32 districts of Tamil Nadu.
(Participants profile include: Public Health Dept, Police Dept, Fire Dept, Revenue Dept & Local Bodies - Municipality/ Corporations. As a state manager for flood response and coordination in Sphere India he has coordinated the rescue and relief efforts with various local, state, national and global agencies. He has served as the resource person for UNICEF projects on Pan-India level and is a master trainer for Minimum Initial Services Package (MISP) for Sexual and Reproductive Health during disasters by UNFPA.