Public Health Preparedness and Psychosocial Health
SantePlus has developed a thorough understanding of the operational continuity issues arising from Public Health disasters.
Managing disasters and crises is difficult during times when resources are stretched thin and infrastructure is challenged to the fullest. It is most important not to make a bad situation worse due to poor planning and implementation. Our public health expertise is poised to assist your organization in creating public health disaster plans before the health crisis occurs, the most critical of times.
The threat of public health disasters is increasing and there is an ever increasing scrutiny on organizations to be prepared for emergencies of all types. Over the past few years there have been more frequent and damaging floods, droughts, wildfires, heat waves and hurricanes. Natural disasters are expected to increase both in magnitude and in destruction to organizations.
Recent events such as Hurricane Sandy, floods in major Canadian cities and massive snow falls across wide areas of the country are examples of the issues organizations have to plan for in order to ensure continuity of services.
There also is a great deal of concern about influenza outbreaks or even other highly contagious diseases. While we have seen some outbreaks in different parts of the world and to a lesser extent in North America, a global influenza pandemic remains a risk organizations have to seriously consider.
All of these scenarios can wreak havoc on individuals, businesses, schools, health care centers and governments. The best time to deal with a crisis is before it occurs because during and immediately after a disaster, personnel, critical infrastructure and resources may not be available. Therefore, public health preparedness is extremely important in limiting the damage from a variety of disasters.
SantePlus is based in Ottawa and works both nationally and internationally.
