Health System Crisis and Disaster Preparedness among Non- Governmental Hospitals in Gaza Strip

Author : Azza Yhya Ahmed Jadallah

First edition “2020” – Book:  –

Health System Crisis and Disaster Preparedness among Non- Governmental Hospitals in Gaza Strip

All rights reserved to the Democratic Arab Center – Germany – Berlin. Reproduction of this book or any part of it, or storing it in the scope of retrieving or transmitting the information in any form, without the prior written permission of the publisher, is not permitted.

Abstract:

Background: Disasters and crises are largely unpredictable. Hospitals are affected by disasters and crises. Preparedness is therefore an important stage in the disaster management cycle. Aim of the Study: The overall aim of this study is to assess the health system crisis and disaster preparedness among Non-Governmental Organizations hospitals in Gaza Strip. Methods: The researcher used descriptive, cross-sectional design. The study sample consisted of (138) key persons out of (157) from (11) Non-Governmental Organizations hospitals in Gaza Strip with a response rate of 87.89%. For data collection, the researcher used the questionnaire adopted by the WHO with amendment to suit the situation of the Gaza Strip. The questionnaire was validated by a panel of expert person. Also pilot study was done on 30 participants. The values of Cronbach’s Alpha for questionnaire and the entire questionnaire was 0.987. The data analysis was performed by using the SPSS 25. Results: The results showed that 79.02% of the study participants respondent about command and control, while 77.92% of the study participants respondent about communication, 75.26% of participants respondent about safety and security, and 77.73% of the study participants respondent about triage. Moreover, Surge capacity was 75.43%, and Continuity of essential services was 81.53%. Furthermore, Human resources was 75.40% and Logistics and supply management was 82.42%. In addition, Post-disaster recovery was 76.90%. According to the researcher findings, the highest score of the disaster preparedness was related to Continuity of essential services while the lowest scores was Safety and security  domains. Conclusion and recommendations: The results revealed that the total crisis and disasters preparedness was 78.0% among Non-Governmental Organizations hospitals in Gaza Strip. The study recommended that there are some of necessary efforts and modifications in the health system are needed to improve the level of preparedness for crisis and disaster events.

   Publisher – Democratic Arab Center – Germany – Berlin