Emergency Medical Teams in Disasters and Conflicts

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Original Editors -   Naomi O Reilly

Top Contributors - Naomi O'Reilly, Kim Jackson, Rishika Babburu and Tarina van der Stockt      

Introduction

Emergency Medical Teams (EMT), now considered a vital aspect of the global health workforce, are teams of health professionals (doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, paramedics, etc.) that provide direct clinical care to people affected by disasters and conflicts, and support local health systems. Any team of health professionals now coming from another country to practice health care in disaster or conflict setting need to arrive as part of a team, which must be qualified, trained, and bring equipment and supplies to deliver an effective response rather than imposing a burden on the national system. EMTs must strive for self-sufficiency, providing a quality of care that is appropriate for the context, with credentials that meet a minimum acceptable standard. Traditionally, these teams have been focused on the management of trauma and surgical care, but the response to the Ebola outbreak demonstrated the value in other contexts, such as epidemics and complex emergencies. EMT response can be both National and International from Governments (civil protection and military), Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), International Humanitarian Networks (International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Médecins sans Frontières), United Nations Contracted teams and Private-for-Profit Sector.

EMT Initiative

Significant lessons were learned about Foreign Medical Teams / Field Hospitals in the aftermath of Sudden-Impact Disasters following the catastrophic Haiti Earthquake in 2010 promoting collaboration of experts to initiate the development of principles, criteria and standards for foreign medical teams. This work formed the basis for the Classification and Minimum Standards for Foreign Medical Teams in Sudden Onset Disasters in 2013, that were first used successfully to mobilse and coordinate deployment of 151 medical teams by the Philippines Department of Health following a super-typhoon hit the central part of the Phillipines Archipelago. leading to the development of the EMT Initiative.

EMT Classification

The EMT classification mechanism launched in 2016 and managed by the WHO EMT Secretariat is a process where Emergency Medical Teams sign up to be mentored and eventually classified as internationally deployable EMT that abide by the international minimum standards and principles for EMTs. To date, 26 teams have been classified with over 70 teams now working towards classification. EMTs play a critical role in contributing to national, regional and global response capacities. With national health systems increasingly adopting the EMT minimum standards and principles, governments can be assured of a predictable and timely response by self-sufficient teams with well-trained health personnel.   

EMT Minimal Technical Standards Rehabilitation

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Resources

Minimum Technical Standards and Recommendations for Rehabilitation: Emergency Medical Teams

References 

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