Diabetes care during humanitarian crises due to floodings and earthquakes in IDF-MENA region: Pakistan experience

Abstract

Background: Diabetes care in humanitarian crises after the devastating 2005 earthquake in Pakistani Jammu and Kashmir, and in 2022 huge floodings across Pakistan is challenging due to many topographic reasons related to the terrain and the infrastructureMaterials and Methods: In this article, 197 articles were reviewed from PubMed and Google Scholar using conveniently related search terms in the titles and abstracts published from (2000-2022). Additional information was retrieved from the official sites of active international aid organizations and news agencies. Results: It was found that the preparedness plans for proper diabetes care in disaster and non-disaster settings are unsatisfactory in malfunctioning healthcare infrastructures and the non-availability of life-saving medications like insulins. These plans are not fulfilling the needs of the people living with non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension. The role of the international aid organizations after 2005 was directed toward immediate care of traumatic conditions and their complications, infectious diseases control, mental health, care for the elderly, and orphanage care but not covering the diabetes care. Conclusions and Recommendations: The healthcare authorities should adjust a disaster preparedness plan for the country, integrating noncommunicable disease control as a pivotal part and mitigating the current deficit in diabetes care for people in need in different humanitarian crises.

Keywords

• crisis
• diabetes mellitus
• flooding
• humanitarian
• insulin
• pakistan