Emergency Physicians in Tsunami Relief: A Discussion of Tsunami-Related Health Conditions and Necessary Preparations

Abstract

The Indian Ocean tsunami on 26th December 2004 had prompted extensive humanitarian responses and many emergency physicians had offered to join the relief force. This article discusses tsunami-related health conditions including trauma, infectious diseases and mental disturbance and how emergency physicians should be prepared in terms of emotional stability and alertness, medical protection and equipments before shouldering the responsibility.