Supporting Survivors: WHO’s Efforts After Türkiye Earthquake

After the big earthquake in Türkiye, lots of people got hurt and some even lost their limbs. The World Health Organization (WHO) stepped in to help out and make sure these survivors get the support they need. They’re working on a project to improve physiotherapy services in 31 health care centres across 15 provinces. The goal is to help the survivors with their rehabilitation and make sure they have the support they need for the long term. WHO thinks that rehab is super important, especially in emergencies, and it can help people recover faster and reduce the chances of having more problems later on. They also want to make it easier for patients to get the help they need without putting too much pressure on hospitals.

The project team had a bunch of meetings with the Ministry of Health and the Gulhane Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at the University of Health Sciences to figure out what needed to be done. They also visited hospitals and health care facilities to see how rehab services were being provided. The plan is to offer rehab services at the health care centre level, so that people with disabilities can get training for everyday life and caregivers can get the support they need. They’re also trying to reduce the strain on hospitals by providing training for physiotherapists and delivering assistive products like crutches, wheelchairs, and walking frames to help patients move around.