'In earthquake-devastated northwest Syria, the challenges facing medical providers seem insurmountable: They must find a way to care for 8,500 injured quake survivors and meet ongoing health needs of a 4.7 million population — all while depending on a shattered health system, already depleted by a 12-year war.'
So says today's edition of the news service Global Health Now
https://mailchi.mp/894cef90fd0c/global-health-now-the-catastrophic-strug...
What is the value of reliable healthcare information in such a setting? When there are inadequate numbers of health staff? When supply lines for medicines and equipment are disrupted? When the number of casualties is overwhelming? When electric power is not available?
Reliable healthcare information is important in any setting. When there are insufficient staff, it is important that individuals and families have access to reliable information to care for themselves and each other. When medicines and equipment are in short supply, it's important to have reliable, relevant information to know how to make the best use of what is available.
In terms of effective relief efforts, Evidece Aid reported on HIFA the importance of relevant systematic reviews and where to find them: https://www.hifa.org/dgroups-rss/evidence-aid-newsletter-7-february-2023...
Reliable information alone is not sufficient. Of course not, but it is a prerequisite in any healthcare situation.
Our thanks to all who are working on earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria? If you are involved yourself, and you have a moment to do so, please share your experience by sending an email to: hifa@hifaforums.org
Best wishes, Neil
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org
