The WHO CC UTS acknowledges use of key language from The WHO Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (2021–2025).
WHO Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) assist countries to build capacity and strengthen health systems by coordinating and deploying quality assured medical teams in emergencies. EMTs consist of teams of doctors, nurses and midwives and paramedics that treat victims of disasters [1]. Since the EMT unit at the WHO was established in 2013, it has played an unprecedented role in developing and verifying country-based teams who are ready to respond to emergencies wherever they are required [1]. In the case of unexpected disasters or disease outbreaks, the quicker the response the better and their philosophy is, “keep responses local as possible, as international as needed” [1]. The EMTs are now a vital part of the global health workforce.
China, was one of the first of five countries (along with Russia, Japan, Israel and Australia) who had a team who undertook the verification process. In 2018, a team of emergency medical professionals at the West China Hospital in Sichuan were accredited at the highest level - as a type three WHOEMT. This means that they are able to provide mobile tertiary field hospitals (of up to 100 beds) along with staff members who administer in-patient care including ICU and complex surgery. They are now part of a global health corps which can be deployed nationally or internationally for emergencies around the world [2].
Lei Ye, head nurse at West China Hospital, was part of a working group which in 2017, began setting up the accredited team. The Chinese government supported the initiative by funding staff and supplies.
Ye has been a nurse at the large teaching hospital for 16 years, specializing in emergency and intensive care. He also lectures part time at Sichuan University. Like much of the Western Pacific region, this province in China is prone to disasters. In 2008, the devastating First Great Sichuan earthquake killed over 69,000 people and injured more than 350,000 [2]. During his career, Ye has helped victims of many earthquakes and infectious disease breakouts and during 2008 saw first hand the need for EMTs that could be rapidly deployed.
The workload is heavy. Different disasters bring about different conditions, and there is a need for ongoing education to meet those needs.
He says while there are several education programmes for the public throughout Sichuan Province for dealing with disasters, more needs to be done for education around how to manage local disasters, as well as how people can manage other chronic health conditions that are often exacerbated after the disasters occur.
1. World Health Organization, WHO EMT Initiative, ‘Emergency Medical Teams’. 2016.
2. Taylor, A., 10 Years Since the Devastating 2008 Sichuan Earthquake. The Atlantic, 2018.