Having organised a daylong earthquake preparedness drill in Monggar Regional Referral Hospital recently, the hospital management feels they are now more prepared if they are struck by an earthquake or other natural disasters.
In line with the directive from the Health Ministry, all hospitals in the country are asked to draft their own contingency plan to prepare to tackle natural calamities. Thus, the mock drill was carried out to test and revise the hospital’s draft contingency plan. It was also to see how effectively the hospital could provide medical services if in case a quake of eight magnitude hits Monggar District.
“We had around 32 patients coming to hospital and we have tested every part of contingency plan we have prepared. And I think it went quite well so I feel that we are prepared for earthquake and other disaster,” said Dr. Pelden Wangchuk, the Medical Superintendent of Monggar hospital.
Hari Kumar, Regional Coordinator of Geo Hazards International, a partner to World Health Organisation said it’s very important that hospitals are self sufficient during emergencies for few days and ensure continuous water, electricity and oxygen supplies in the hospitals.
“We have now put disaster preparedness plan in place. There is a hospital safety committee, we have done drills and we are going to revise the plans. And they have agreed that they will be doing their own drills in future without external support. This will be great because when they do the next drill they will narrow down the gaps.”
Following the drill session, the hospital staff and technical supporters sat together for a de-briefing session to discuss on further improvisation of the contingency plan.
This is the second mock drill on earthquake preparedness. The first one was done at national referral hospital in Thimphu last year. Other regional hospitals will also engage in similar mock drills in future.
