Early response to the Great East Japan Earthquake and Massive Tsunami at an evacuation shelter in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture

抄録

Authors served with the Nagasaki University Medical Relief Team providing medical relief and health services at Terano Kyodojo evacuation shelter at Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, an area severely affected by the massive tsunamni following the Great East Japan Earthquake. The relief team provided medical consultations at a temporary clinic in March 2011, in collaboration with a local general practitioner. The affected area has been characterized by its high level of population aging, which was also reflected in the age composition of the evacuees at the shelter: 38% of evacuees were aged 65 or older. Many patients presented to the clinic requesting routine medication refills for their chronic medical conditions (e.g. hypertention, diabetes, heart diseases and asthma). However, information on their medications had been lost in many cases, and the identification of medicines was thus a critical task. An increasing trend of symptoms apparently due to stress (e.g. insomnia) was also observed. We supported the introduction of infection control measures to prevent possible outbreak of infectious acute gastroenteritis. While most evacuees had experienced extremely stressful circumstances and profound loss, a functional community had already been developed in the shelter. The evacuees were divided into groups, and the group leaders held meetings to share information and to set the necessary shelter rules. Evacuees shared chores and conducted regular physical exercise together. New infection control measures were also discussed among the group leaders, and implemented only after reaching agreement. We believe collaboration with communities will be critical in planning and implementing future public health and restoration efforts in the affected areas.