Kumbh Mela 2013: Healthcare for the millions

Abstract

Mass gathering healthcareMass gathering planning and pre- Managing the medical aspects of a mass gathering mega event requires allocation of adequate funds, proactive and integrated medical planning and preparedness.

The psychology of health and well-being in mass gatherings: A review and a research agenda

“…Please cite this article in press as: Hopkins N., Reicher S.., The psychology of health and well-being in mass gatherings: A review and a research agenda, J Epidemiol Global Health(2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jegh.2015.06.001…”

Risks threatening the health of people participating in mass gatherings: A systematic review

“…In the present study, environmental risks threatening the health of participants in MGs included weather risks such as cold, environmental heat,[1215161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142] precipitation,[12] higher humidity,[121520313842] long distance of gatherings and austere environment,[18] mobility of population,[3142] gatherings in outside (external) and unbounded venues,[32] MGs exposed to traffic accidents,[19] the participants’ number and crowd density,[15182028293139] insect bites, and sunburns. [40]…”

“…In public health domain, risks that threaten the participants’ health in MGs extracted from the study included probability of outbreak and spread of infectious diseases,[192641] unsuitable sanitation and hygiene of water and improper food quality,[2741] improper disposal of wet and dry waste,[27] and finally lack of disease monitoring and surveillance systems. [192527]…”

“…In this study, the risks due to lack of support on resources and inefficiency of gatherings’ safety recognized in this domain were reported as Lack or shortage of patient care workers such as Physicians or Paramedics;[181926313336] flow directions;[20] risk assessment;[20] communication;[20] pre-event advice;[23] a plan for vaccination before gatherings;[2526] coordination;[26] free water as well as terrorist attacks; difficult access to water and food;[28] difficult access to medical facilities;[262732] and duration of MG.[38]…”

Syndromic Surveillance of Communicable Diseases in Mobile Clinics During the Arbaeenia Mass Gathering in Wassit Governorate, Iraq, in 2014: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

“…National surveillance systems are often incapable of monitoring the public health threats from MGs [11]. While MGs pose challenges to healthcare systems anywhere in the world [12], they provide an opportunity to strengthen both emergency and routine surveillance and response system, which can benefit countries long after the event. [13] Several religious mass gatherings occur on an annual basis in Iraq, drawing up to 10 million pilgrims at a time.…”