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conferenceseries
.com
Volume 9
Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Natural Hazards Congress 2018
July 26-27, 2018
July 26-27, 2018 Melbourne, Australia
2
nd
International Conference on
Natural Hazards and Disaster Management
Examining disaster preparedness of hospitals in Matara district, Sri Lanka
Nimali
University of Tsukuba, Japan
Natural and anthropogenic disasters are increasing globally and affecting many people. As hospitals are essential infrastructures
in responding to disasters, they are expected to remain functional during and in the immediate aftermath of disasters. Sri
Lanka, a small island nation, has experienced several natural disasters such as tsunami of 2004, exposing inadequate disaster
preparedness in many local hospitals. However, very limited research has been conducted in Sri Lanka about disaster safe
hospitals. This study examines the safe hospital concept in the world and in Sri Lanka to identify the gaps in local hospital
preparedness. When tsunami of 2004 affected Sri Lanka, Matara was one of the devastated areas of the country and it remains
vulnerable to natural disasters. The methodology adopted in this study was extensive reviews of literatures concerning safe
hospital preparedness and field visit experience to five hospitals in Matara district, Sri Lanka. The result shows challenging
areas in hospital preparedness. Lack of awareness, expertise and funding are some of the drawbacks identified in improving
hospital safety. Most of the aspects of preparedness were found to be inadequate such as human recourse, communication,
safety, security, transportation, critical supplies and psychosocial support. Health authorities should pay much attention
towards capacity building of health personnel and hospitals in Sri Lanka.
nimalimlk@yahoo.comJ Earth Sci Clim Change 2018, Volume 9
DOI: 10.4172/2157-7617-C2-043