(C27) Damages to Healthcare Facilities by the Earthquake in Pisco, Peru

Abstract

Introduction:

On 15 August 2007, a 7.0 Richter earthquake struck the southern coast of Peru. The national government reported 519 people dead, >1,500 injured, and 192,492 homes affected (78% of all homes in the eight provinces in the regions of Huancavelica, lea, and Lima).The province of Pisco in the region of lea was the most affected.

Methods:

The estimation of damages to healthcare facilities was based on a review of the assessment of the national and regional health authorities and recovery projects proposed by the South Reconstruction Fund.

Results:

At least 60 primary healthcare facilities were affected (18% of the total in the affected area), as well as four Ministry of Health hospitals. Three Social Security hospitals had moderate and severe structural and non-structural damages. Sixty-two percent (515) of the total number of beds available (834) in three lea provinces were lost in a few minutes after the earthquake.

Conclusions:

The effect of the earthquake on hospital services was large. It included damages to the infrastructure and the loss of furniture and biomedicai equipment. Foreign field hospitals and temporary strategies were adopted to assure the continuation of healthcare services and to reduce the risk of public health problems associated with the disaster.