Medical teams deployed to Ambae

VANUATU – Medical emergency teams have for the first time been deployed to the Ambae volcano disaster.

Recent reports indicate that ash fall covered most of north, east and west Ambae last Tuesday night with close to a centimetre of ash being measured in some villages on north Ambae.

“The situation is becoming critical in some areas with trees falling and blocking roads,” reports Medical Emergency Team (EMT) coordinator Dr Basil Leodoro.

“We have received reports of houses collapsing due to the weight of the ash.”

This thick ash, combined with rain from the recent tropical cyclone, has made access by road very difficult for the disaster response teams, he said.

Penama Province public works officers have been up each day at dawn to clear the roads and allow relief supplies and essential services to reach the evacuation centres, he said.

“I am confirming that heavy ash fall has caused skin and eye irritations, and exacerbated breathing conditions like asthma.”

“We are also working very closely with our disease surveillance teams to monitor reported cases of mumps, acute gastroenteritis and dengue in all Ambae residents but particularly those at evacuation centres,” he said.

Some evacuation centres are reported to be quite crowded with provincial public health teams working around the clock to build toilets, provide clean water and sanitation kits and educate evacuees on proper hand hygiene, Dr Leodoro said.

He said a mental health offcial is also assessing the mental health and psychosocial needs of evacuees and treating those who need urgent clinical management.

He said it has been a challenging task for the Lolowai Hospital management team.

“Yesterday, heavy ashfall covered much of the hospital and its solar power farm resulting in major power disruptions to the hospital and our emergency communications centre,” Dr Leodoro said.

“So we have had to unhook the water pump generator and use that to power the hospital.”

Dr Leodoro is said that the the medical assistance teams need to be supported, properly equipped and set up in the two centres of Port Vila and Luganville, ready for deployment at all times.

“The health of our people is a government priority in any disaster and national EMT’s will play a vital role in providing timely and effective health services response during disaster.

“We will work closely with our Provincial and national health EOC’s to ensure that we provide a sustained and effective health response on Ambae,” Dr Leodoro said. - Daily Post