Opinion | Author Shares His Views On Emergency Preparedness And Response In Our Institutions

A recent tragedy of our Airport

By Mod Lamin Conteh

 Once upon a time, there existed a small mainland country in West Africa, The Gambia, whose general assessment of health is no other than a minimal priority to her people, the authorities, and even those in charge of their own healthcare sector. Government offices and parastatals that are ought to take care of their own health and make resounding policies that will help boost the health and practices of their people are assess to near zero in terms of their occupational health hazard protection, safety, precautions and even their own personal health. Just of recent, our airport was expose and it is just a matter of time before other institutions face similar or more horrific incidents except we fixed our priorities right. 

in terms of emergency preparedness and response at airports, seaports, municipalities, telecommunications, our courts, ministries amongst other departments,  to prioritize the health of the staffs, the passengers, the customers amongst others? 

Firstly, To Develop and regularly update emergency response plans: Airports should have comprehensive emergency response plans in place that address a range of potential hazards and risks, including public health emergencies. The plans should be regularly updated based on evolving threats and lessons learned from past incidents.

Furthermore, All staff, including security personnel, customer service representatives, and management, should receive training on emergency response protocols, including specific procedures related to public health emergencies. Training should cover topics such as recognizing symptoms, implementing infection control measures, basic life saving measures and communicating effectively during emergencies.

Secondly, To Establish dedicated medical facilities; the institutions should have designated medical facilities or areas where passengers and staff requiring medical attention can be assessed and treated. These facilities should be equipped with the necessary medical supplies, equipment, and qualified medical professionals to manage public health emergencies effectively.

Whilst, working with an Enhance communication system: Effective communication is vital during emergency situations. The institutions  should have efficient communication systems in place, such as public address systems, digital signage, and mobile notifications, to disseminate important information to passengers and staff rapidly. Clear communication channels should also be established with local health authorities and authorities responsible for emergency management.

Also, the institutions especially the Airports and seaports should maintain a stockpile of essential supplies, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), medications, and medical equipment, to ensure an effective response to public health emergencies. Regular inventory checks should be conducted, and expired items should be replaced promptly.

In addition, to Implement screening measures: many Airports  collaborate with public health agencies to implement screening measures, such as temperature checks, health questionnaires, and rapid testing, to identify passengers and staff who may be infected with communicable diseases. This can help to detect and respond to potential health threats at the earliest stages.

Most importantly is to establish partnerships with local healthcare  providers to ensure timely access to medical expertise and resources during emergencies. These partnerships can facilitate the provision of medical care to affected individuals and ensure coordinated response efforts. 

The protocols should be Regularly review and needs to be updated: It is crucial to review emergency response protocols periodically to identify areas for improvement and address any gaps that may exist. As new information and guidelines emerge, airports should update their protocols accordingly to remain aligned with the latest best practices.

Remember, the effectiveness of emergency preparedness and response at airports relies on regular training, coordination among stakeholders, and continuous improvement efforts. Prioritizing one's health speaks the loudest volumes on how you assess and assimilate the health concerns of others around you. A tragedy should be preventable, a learning point to prevent recurrence, a measure to be put in place to better the entire general health situations of ones little environment all times.

In line with international best practices, there should always be a health care provider attach to offices ( a generalist/ family care physicians or a medical officer) that will help to improve the working condition of all and also constantly screen, educate, and talk everyone through to safeguard their mental and physical health.

About the Author

The author is a Gambian Medic And Social Commentator

Publisher’s Note

Views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Want to be a contributing author? Please email opmail220@gmail.com