Public Health and Primary Health Care Services Delivered in Kahramanmaraş Province Following the Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes
Primary Health Care After Earthquakes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21959357Keywords:
Earthquake, Primary health care, Public health, Syndromic surveillance, ImmunizationAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to describe the public health and primary health care services delivered in Kahramanmaraş Province from the first day of the earthquakes through the end of the first month following the disaster.
Methods: A descriptive study was conducted covering February 6–March 6, 2023. Daily syndromic surveillance was performed for respiratory tract infections, acute gastrointestinal infections, exanthematous diseases, jaundice, and scabies. Immunization activities were monitored through routine records of vaccines administered, including hepatitis B, BCG, DTP-IPV-Hib, pneumococcal conjugate, MMR, oral polio, tetanus–diphtheria, hepatitis A, varicella, and rabies vaccines. Water quality was assessed at district level and classified as compliant or non-compliant. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Health services were established in 46 tent and container settlements, with 16 fully operational 24/7. A total of 5,445 child follow-ups, 1,774 antenatal visits, 979 postnatal visits, and 278 SMA screenings were conducted. The most frequently administered vaccines were tetanus–diphtheria (1,028 doses), DTP-IPV-Hib (859), and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (679). Social support teams reached 283,210 individuals through 774 field visits, while psychologists conducted 1,628 household visits and provided 6,147 psychosocial sessions. Of 1,646 water samples from 11 districts, 92% met safety standards; microbiological contamination was detected in 104 samples.
Conclusions: Despite major post-disaster challenges, essential public health and primary care services were maintained during the first month. Primary health care delivery, surveillance, immunization, and psychosocial support were key components of the response, highlighting the importance of organized public health systems in strengthening disaster resilience.
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