Experts on ‘catastrophe medicine’ will be travelling to the Algarve this month to take part in an international meeting at the University of the Algarve.
Among guest speakers will be David Ratcliffe who “coordinated operations after the Manchester terrorist attack in May 2017, Benoit Vivien who will trace his “experience of the 2015 Paris attacks” and Agusti Ruiz who will be speaking on “rescue operations following the terrorist attack in Barcelona” last August.
The event has been by regional health chiefs under the auspices of the health ministry.
Themes for debate include ‘the planning, preparation, organisation and implementation of emergency plans’; ‘training and discipline for intervention professionals in catastrophe scenarios’ and ‘response to exceptional situations with multiple victims’.
During the event – which takes place in the large auditorium on Faro’s Gambelas campus on Friday March 23 – Portugal’s recent ‘catastrophes’ (the fires of 2017 and the horrendous tree fall in Madeira last August (click here) will come under discussion with the two doctors who coordinated medical response: Pedro Ramos and Vítor Almeida.
Says a statement sent out by the regional health authority, both men will share their experiences and highlight “the lessons learned” in events that have marked the country.
Dignitaries scheduled to attend include secretary of state for health Fernando Araújo, and top brass in the ANPC (civil protection authority), INEM (medical rescue), the Red Cross, police services, armed forces, firefighting services and councils.
Members of the public are welcome, admission is free – but space is limited.
Anyone interested should sign up via: https://estudo.min-saude.pt/limesurvey/index.php/399255?lang=pt
natasha.donn@algarveresident.com
