Health Information Systems and Disaster Management
Tragedies happen in the world and especially in the parts of the world where OpenMRS is used. Two examples are the 2010 Earthquake in Haiti and 2013 Typhoon in the Philippines.
Rural Health Unit in Mayorga, Leyte after Typhoon Haiyan" (with available English subtitle). It was filmed immediately after the Haiyan tragedy with two of our NTHC staff -- Jonathan and Emmanuel.
- Alvin says this should be used as a general practice and available before an emergency.
- Serval software can be pre-installed on a few phones and then spread later at the time of a disaster.
- Currently only working on Android phones
- Airplane-mode, but then turn-on bluetooth and wifi.
- Create a more robust system in a disaster prone area
- Backup shelters (Tacloban astrodome was assigned shelter, but destroyed)
- Transport (Ambulatory access only post-typhoon)
- Handle worst scenario (Typhoon Haiyan was so much worse than anything that was expected)
- Serious attention to evacuation (people didn't evacuate far enough; followed evacuation protocols, but could not handle storm surge)
- Water purification
- Solar system for emergency when power/electricity is not available
- RxBox2 with 2-way radio, mobile devices with extended batteries, flashlights
- Use of alternative energy sources (solar, wind, etc) as electricity source
- Information coordinator trying to organize all the data and reporting information for the ministry. HIE would have made a better system for reporting these things.
- Another University call to discuss best practices and collaborations (Sections III, IV not discussed during the 12/18 university call)
OpenMRS University (2013-12-18)