Global responsibility in mass casualty events: The Israeli experience in Japan

Ofer Merin, MD; Nehemia Blumberg, MD; David Raveh, MD; Ariel Bar, MD; Masafumi Nishizawa, MD; Ophir Cohen-Marom, MD

doi:10.5055/ajdm.2012.0081

Authors

Ofer Merin, MD
Nehemia Blumberg, MD
David Raveh, MD
Ariel Bar, MD
Masafumi Nishizawa, MD
Ophir Cohen-Marom, MD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.2012.0081

Keywords:

earthquake, tsunami, mass disaster, humanitarian aid

Abstract

Objective: To describe humanitarian aid following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Setting: A field hospital deployed in a small Japanese coastal village devastated by a major tsunami.
Patients: Thousands of Japanese refugees with minimal access to medical care.
Results: After well-coordinated diplomatic efforts, our medical delegation was the first foreign team to deploy in Japan. Our facility served as a regional referral center for specialized medical treatment.
Conclusions: Following major disasters, even highly modernized countries will face an urgent surge in the need of medical resources.These situations emphasize the need for global responsibility to provide assistance.

Author Biographies

Ofer Merin, MD

Trauma Unit and Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel; Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps Field Hospital.

Nehemia Blumberg, MD

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps Field.

David Raveh, MD

Infectious Disease, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps Field.

Ariel Bar, MD

Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps Field Hospital; Home Front Command, Israel Defense Forces, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Masafumi Nishizawa, MD

Internal Medicine, Shizugawa Public Hospital, Japan.

Ophir Cohen-Marom, MD

Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps Field Hospital; Surgeon General, Israel Defense Forces, Tel Aviv, Israel.

References

McCurry J: Japan: The aftermath. Lancet. 2011; 377(9771): 1061-1062.

Afshar M, Raju M, Ansell D, et al.: Narrative review: Tetanus-a health threat after natural disasters in developing countries. Ann Intern Med. 2011; 154(5): 329-335.

Christodouleas JP, Forrest RD, Ainsley CG, et al.: Short-term and long-term health risks of nuclear-power-plant accidents. N Engl J Med. 2011; 364(24): 2334-2341.

Global responsibility in mass casualty events: The Israeli experience in Japan

Authors

DOI:

Keywords:

Abstract

Author Biographies

Ofer Merin, MD

Nehemia Blumberg, MD

David Raveh, MD

Ariel Bar, MD

Masafumi Nishizawa, MD

Ophir Cohen-Marom, MD

References

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