Terrorism threat to healthcare: experts

Dubai, May 18 (UNI) Terrorism is a threat to healthcare, in emergency situations, according to experts at a conference organised by the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research in Dubai.

Held under the patronage of Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the two-day conference, titled "Advanced Medical Response in Cases of Disaster", surveyed ways of handling natural and man-made disasters, such as terrorist threats, and stressed the importance of raising awareness in order to ensure a quick response from both the general public and experts working in the medical field.

The conference, which was attended by researchers from Harvard University in the United States, aimed to achieve many goals, including setting priorities in dealing with injuries caused by disasters, studying the dangers of using chemical and biological pollutants, raising awareness of how to treat the injured and offer the necessary first aid, and how to design and implement quick evacuation strategies in cases of emergencies.

Experts revealed that according to the official estimates of the World Health Organisation floods constitute the majority of natural disasters, followed by hurricanes. The continent of Asia ranks first in number of natural disasters, followed by Africa and Europe.

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