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Ambulatory Child Health, vol.7, no.2, pp.65-73, 2001 (Scopus)
Objective. To assess the response of Turkish paediatric residency training centres to the two earthquakes that hit Turkey in 1999, causing a total of 18 310 deaths and affecting a population of approximately 2 million. Methods. A semi-structured questionnaire was mailed to the directors of all 26 major paediatric training centres in Turkey. This questionnaire requested information on whether the centres: sent monetary aid, supplies, or paediatricians to the sites; treated child casualties; or developed programmes to enhance health care delivery to children affected by the disaster. Results. Of the 21 training centres that responded to the questionnaire, 90% provided monetary aid or supplies, and 73% sent paediatricians to the sites. Although a total of 236 paediatricians from these centres volunteered or were employed at the sites, most were involved in caring for adults as well as children and were unable to provide continuous programmes for children. Paediatric training centres collaborated most frequently with the Ministry of Health and non-governmental organizations in delivering services but collaboration with UNICEF and the Turkish paediatric associations was rare. More than half of the centres identified a need for training in disaster management and for organizing programmes related to the special needs of children in advance of disasters. Conclusions. Despite the immediate mobilization of paediatric training centres after the earthquakes in Turkey, comprehensive health care services to children did not receive a paediatric input. A collaborative multidisciplinary model led by experienced paediatricians that serves children and their families specifically is needed during and after disasters.