Emergency Health Response for Cyclone Fani

Problem Statement

Extremely severe cyclonic storm FANI caused massive devastation affecting 1.65 crore people, damaging 5 lakh houses and about 1,031 health facilities in 9 highly affected districts

Programme Description

The health systems emergency response activities were categorized into three components A) Pre-cyclone preparedness B) Alertness during cyclone involved functioning of 24X7 control rooms at all levels, deployment of medical team at cyclone shelters, immediate rescue operations and provisioning of dry food for 3 days. C) Post-cyclone health response-, utilisation of ASHAs and Gaon Kalyan Samitis (GKS) for community mobilisation and cleanliness drives, psycho-social counselling at community, active participation of all line departments and review mechanism at state and district level.

Programme Outcomes

• Surgeries at Capital Hospital OT and 778 medical relief camps were conducted.
• 270 mobile health teams, 87 additional Medical Officers and 366 paramedics deployed in affected areas.
• 200 mothers delivered at public health facilities and over 1 lakh patients treated for minor ailments and injury. SNCU services restored within 48 hours.
• Clearing of fallen trees and other heavy debris within a week; restoration of overhead water supply within 10 days at all hospitals.
• Dialysis Unit services at District Head Quarters Hospital, Puriresumed within 10 days.
• Routine Immunization programme continued uninterrupted.
• Over 22,340 cleanliness drives conducted with active participation of ASHAs, MAS, Gaon/ Ward Kalyan Samiti.
• Over 1.28 lakhs water sources sanitised and over 40 lakhs halogen/ chlorine tablets with airtight containers and more than 24 lakhs sanitary napkins distributed.

Scalability

Strengthening emergency surveillance and establishment of early warning response system (EWARS) always pays dividend by preventing outbreaks and in turn saving lives.

Implementation Partners

UN Agencies, NIMHAN and NNF. NCDC, RMRC & WHO, Ministry of H&FW Department and Line Departments

Financial Implication

According to “Damage, Loss and Need Assessment” report, the damage, loss and recovery cost including Building Back Better (BBB) estimated to be Rs. 469.8 crores for entire health sector.

Source : We Care Coffee Table Book - Good, Replicable and Innovative Practices 2019