Advertisement
"After a disaster of this magnitude, diseases and other medical issues arelikely to arise," said Olivier Cattin, MD, the French-born chief medicalofficer of International SOS' Clinic in Yangon. "We have been fortunate thatthere has not yet been an outbreak of cholera, typhoid, malaria, or denguefever in Yangon or the delta."
Advertisement
The clinic did sustain minor damages during the cyclone, but has beenrepaired and remains open and fully operational, staffed by doctors and nursesat all times. The staff at the clinic includes two doctors (one locumAmerican doctor and one Myanmar National), four nurses, one radiographer, andone lab technician (all Myanmar Nationals).
International SOS Singapore, the lead crisis center in Asia, is alsoseeking to reinforce the team in Yangon with the addition of doctors andoperational staff. To date, Dr. Cattin was successful in reaching the clinicafter the Cyclone occurred, arriving on May 7 with additional medication andother supplies to continue much needed assistance to International SOS members.
The International SOS Yangon Clinic opened in 1990 and has been operatingcontinuously since. Clients of the clinic include companies in the oil andgas, and energy, mining, and infrastructure industries, as well as travel andhospitality sectors. During times of normal operation, the clinic offers apharmacy, diagnostic services, an ambulance, and 24-hour emergency services toits members in Myanmar.
Ongoing medical and safety advice and assistance, as well as crisisdecision support will continue to be provided 24 hours via the InternationalSOS network of alarm centres around the world. International SOS continues todo all it can to provide assistance to its clients, members and the victims.
About International SOS
Operating in over 70 countries, International SOS(http://www.internationalsos.com) helps organizations manage the health andsafety risks facing their travelers and global workforce. Its services rangefrom consultancy and planning services to 24-hour medical and security adviceand assistance. It also provides emergency medical and security evacuationswhen there is a critical illness, accident or civil unrest. Last year, thecompany handled over 810,000 assistance cases, including more than 16,000evacuations.Specifically, since the cyclone, International SOS has: -- Met with organizations and embassies in Myanmar to advise them on post-disaster water and food safety issues, how to avoid illnesses and stay healthy. -- Provided medical care to approximately 50 patients with disaster-related illnesses and injuries such as diarrhea, asthma, and rashes and cuts obtained while clearing debris. -- Helped more than 10 companies, organizations and private members track their missing employees, family members and friends. -- Kept aviation and operations teams at the ready to respond to requests for medical or security evacuations.
SOURCE International SOS
