@article{ref1,
title="Evaluation of flood preparedness in government healthcare facilities in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka",
journal="Global health action",
year="2017",
author="Farley, Jessica M. and Suraweera, Inoka and Perera, W. L. S. P. and Hess, Jeremy and Ebi, Kristie L.",
volume="10",
number="1",
pages="e1331539-e1331539",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Sri Lanka is vulnerable to floods and other hydro-meteorological disasters. Climate change is projected to increase the intensity of these events. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the flood preparedness in healthcare facilities in Eastern Province. <br><br>DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, mixed methods study conducted in Trincomalee District. Surveys were conducted in 31 government healthcare facilities, using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire covering the last 5 years. Seven in-depth interviews were conducted with randomly selected Medical Officers in Charge or their equivalent, and 3 interviews were conducted with Medical Offices of Health. <br><br>RESULTS: Two general hospitals, 3 base hospitals, 11 divisional hospitals, and 15 primary care units were included. Six respondents (19.4%) reported flooding in their facility, and 19 (61.3%) reported flooding in their catchment area. For the health workforce, 77.4% of respondents reported not enough staff to perform normal service delivery during disasters, and 25.5% reported staff absenteeism due to flooding. Several respondents expressed a desire for more disaster-specific and general clinical training opportunities for themselves and their staff. Most respondents (80.7%) reported no delays in supply procurement during weather emergencies, but 61.3% reported insufficient supplies to maintain normal service delivery during disasters. Four facilities (12.9%) had disaster preparedness plans, and 4 (12.9%) had any staff trained on disaster preparedness or management within the last year. One quarter (25.8%) of respondents had received any written guidance on disaster preparedness from the regional, provincial, or national level in the last year. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: While there is a strong health system operating in Sri Lanka, improvements are needed in localized and appropriate disaster-related training, resources for continuing clinical education, and investments in workforce to strengthen flood and other disaster resilience within the government healthcare system in the study district.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1654-9716",
doi="10.1080/16549716.2017.1331539",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2017.1331539"
}