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HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CONVENTION 2016 Special Topics

T10.1 Disaster Preparedness Training 10:45 Convention Hall C

How to Build Strong Domestic and International Emergency Medical Teams Capacities — the Case of Japan
Otomo Y
Department of Acute Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan

Introduction

The large number casualties caused by the 1995 Great Hanshin and Awaji Earthquake created a massive demand for medical
care. However, as area hospitals were also damaged by the earthquake, they were not able to perform their usual functions.
Therefore, the care capacity was reduced greatly. Thus, the needs to: (1) transport a large number of injured and ill people out
of the disaster-affected area; and (2) dispatch medical teams to perform such wide-area transfers were clear. The need for
trained medical teams to provide medical assistance was also made clear after the Niigata-ken Chuetsu Earthquake in 2004.
Therefore, the Japanese government decided to establish Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs), as “mobile, trained
medical teams that can rapidly be deployed during the acute phase of a sudden-onset disaster”. Disaster Medical Assistance
Teams have been established in Japan. The provision of emergency relief and medical care and the enhancement and
promotion of DMATs for wide-area deployments during disasters were incorporated formally in the Basic Plan for Disaster
Prevention in its July 2005 amendment.

Results

The essential points pertaining to DMATs were summarised as a set of guidelines for DMAT deployment. These were based
on the results of research funded by a Health and Labour Sciences research grant from the Labour and Welfare (MHLW) of
the Ministry of Health. The guidelines define the basic procedures for DMAT activities — for example: (1) the activities are
based on agreements between prefectures and medical institutions during non-emergency times; and (2) deployment is
based on requests from disaster-affected prefectures and the basic roles of prefectures and the MHLW. The guidelines also
detail DMAT activities at the disaster scene of the support from medical institutions, and transportation assistance including
“wide-area” medical transport activities, such as medical treatment in staging care units and the implementation of medical
treatment onboard aircraft.

Conclusions
Japan’s DMATs are small-scale units that are designed to be suitable for responding to the demands of acute emergencies.

T10.2 Disaster Preparedness Training 10:45 Convention Hall C

Wednesday, 4 May A Model of Comprehensive Disaster Preparedness and Response Training at All Levels
Lam ECC
Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute, Hong Kong

Characterised by high population density, Hong Kong is susceptible to multiple large-scale natural disasters and health
crises such as typhoons, fires and infectious disease outbreaks. Increasing number of mass gatherings and demonstrations
and new developments in mass transportation system mean a higher risk for mass casualty accidents. However, Hong Kong
community has low disaster awareness and community resilience is lacking. Common language and a complete medical
response are essential in times of possible disasters, involving clinical and non-clinical individuals.

With the generous support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster
Preparedness and Response Institute (HKJCDPRI) was established in August 2014 by the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine
in collaboration with The Chinese University of Hong Kong, University of Hong Kong and with participation of the Harvard
University, Hong Kong College of Emergency Medicine and Hong Kong College of Community Medicine. Over a five-year
period, HKJCDPRI aims to train about 30,000 healthcare professionals, NGOs workers/practitioners, teachers/students and
members of the community in Hong Kong on disaster preparedness and responses; to provide a centralised platform for
ongoing professional education, networking and policy conversations; and to explore opportunities to engage with China, the
broader Asia Pacific region and worldwide.

The ultimate goals of HKJCDPRI include: (1) To establish itself as a centre of excellence in disaster preparedness; and (2)
to organise response-capacity building programmes for empowering leaders in Hong Kong, in Asia and around the globe.
HKJCDPRI will achieve the goals through the six components of work including: (1) Centre of excellence; (2) capacity building;
(3) expert directory; (4) regional consultative platform; (5) total community resilience; and (6) programme evaluation.

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