Earthquake in Nepal
The earthquake that occurred in Nepal this past Saturday, April 25, 2015, impacted this country significantly. This event especially struck home for me, because I have friends who are Nepali refugees; otherwise, I may not even have heard of this very small country that is tucked between India and China. As I researched this event in more detail, I became increasingly aware of the tremendous need for healthcare providers to respond; this country is very poor with approximately 25% of the population living below the poverty line, and consistently experiences economic imbalances (CIA, 2015). In addition, many regions of the country are rural, transportation is difficult and unpredictable, and power outages occur frequently. So far, the death toll as of today, Tuesday morning, is over 4,300 confirmed (CNN, 2015). Again, due to the difficulty with communication from the more rural areas, which were actually closer to the point of greatest impact associated with the earthquake, officials cannot yet determine deaths/injuries in these regions. Due to the fact that the structure and function of several healthcare facilities were compromised, CNN reported that there is a lack of facilities for necessary medical and surgical operations, which prompted providers to use locations that are not normally intended for surgery…which then increases the risk for infection (2015). Earthquakes cause a significant loss of resources, with typical results being loss of electricity and water. Over 8,000 individuals so far are reported injured, and existing facilities are overwhelmed (CNN, 2015).
Typical injuries include TBIs, upper and lower extremity fractures, and pelvic fractures; due to the possibility of delayed care and insufficient personnel (responders are still retrieving victims from the rubble), there is the potential for hemorrhage and infection to cause death even if the initial injury is not fatal (CBS, 2015). Surgical equipment and antibiotics to combat infection are necessary supplies that are in severe shortage currently. A lack of sufficient water not only increases the risk for dehydration in the absence of injuries, but also can make crush injuries worse (renal dysfunction) and exacerbate medical comorbidities. Inhalation injuries from smoke/debris, tetanus infection, and communicable diseases (from lack of sanitation and crowded makeshift housing) are expected to be a significant concern as well.
Initial international responses to Nepal were actually delayed due to concern of possible aftershocks. Over 16 other countries have demonstrated aid with both financial means and sending people to help the existing structure. India, being in close proximity and also affected by the earthquake, has demonstrated particular initiative in sending aid to Nepal (CNN, 2015). So far, organizations who have responded to this crisis, besides the national providers, include Red Cross, UNICEF, and various international search/rescue teams, with more aid expected.
The expected outcome is currently unknown, but Nepal will likely struggle to recover from this event due to the country’s pre-existing insecure economic and healthcare condition.
References:
Cable News Network (CNN) (2015). Nepal earthquake’s victims overwhelm hospitals. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/27/world/nepal-earthquake-bir-hospital/index.html
Cable News Network (CNN) (2015). Nepal earthquake: India leads massive aid effort to help survivors. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/27/asia/nepal-quake-india-aid/index.html
CBS News (2015). Medical crisis in Nepal in earthquake aftermath. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/medical-crisis-in-nepal-in-earthquake-aftermath/
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2015). The World Factbook: Southeast Asia: Nepal. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/np.html
