An International Pharmacy Disaster Response

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An International Pharmacy Disaster Response

• Maya A. Thompson, Pharm.D., BCPS
• Lieutenant Commander, USPHS
• Indian Health Service
• Chinle, AZ

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Objectives

• Discuss the purpose of deployment and preparatory
  steps
• Provide an overview of deployment to Haiti in the
  aftermath of Hurricane Jeanne
• Discuss the challenges to providing a disaster
  relief response on an international level

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Hurricane Jeanne in Haiti

• September 18, 2004
• Gonaïves losses
• 3000 dead or missing
• 5000 homes destroyed
• 2000 homes severely damaged
• 80 of city damaged in some fashion
• Flood waters/mud reached up to 10 feet

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HHS Rapid Assessment Team

• Composed of two members Dr.
  Mireille Kanda (NIH) and myself
• Deployed from October 3-9, 2004
• Met with Secretary Thompson, Ambassador Foley,
  other US agencies upon arrival

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Mission Objective

• Provide HHS with information on requirements for
  restoration of functioning of La Providence
  Hospital
• Confer with government agencies and
  Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Make site visit to Gonaïves for assessment
• Assess mental health needs
• Synthesize information for further action

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Meetings with NGOs and Government Entities

• Centers for Disease Control-Haiti (CDC/GAP-Haiti)
• US Agency for International Development (USAID)
• Haitian Ministry of Health
• World Health Organization/Pan American Health
  Organization (WHO/PAHO)
• La Providence Hospital Administration
• Haitian Red Cross
• Care
• CARITAS
• UNICEF

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Hospital Assessment

• Structural/Environmental
• Water-/Vector-borne disease
• Safety/security
• Abundance of health care for emergency
• Cold chain preservation
• Scope of services

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Hospital Exterior
Damaged Equipment
Cleaning Walls
Mud Level
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Destruction of Pharmacy
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Follow-up Deployment

• February 15-March 16, 2005
• Ensure accountability and distribution of
  medications/medical supplies
• Continued challenges

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Challenges

• In the US
• Preparation for trip
• Prior commitment
• In Haiti
• Coordination
• Politics
• Safety/Security
• Logistics

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GonaïvesMarch 2005
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HPG Pharmacy
AFTER
BEFORE
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Health Care Challenges
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Benefits

• Ability to make an impact
• Fulfillment of personal goals
• Personal growth through challenge
• Commitment to continue to work in public health

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• Thank you
• Questions??