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Health
Online Resources | Print Resources
Managers in the field should consider several serious health issues for themselves and their staff: immunizations and preventive practice, insurance, nutrition, and health care. Running a successful program depends on securing these core issues early on so that field workers can serve their programs with confidence.
Since much humanitarian field work involves educating local participants on disease prevention, it is vital for staff to practice what they preach, though this may not be obvious to everyone. As such, field managers may choose to double check that staff have taken medicinal precautions against infectious diseases common in the area where they work (such as Measles, Malaria, or Typhoid), and that staff have learned and practiced preventive measures against such diseases. (A list of recommended immunizations for travelers can be found through the U.S. Center for Disease Control link below.) Managers should also ensure that staff or participants who are carriers of an infection that can hurt others through regular work contact are cared for in an appropriate manner to reduce the spread of infection. Also, personal insurance issues, which many individuals sideline when they are working to care for others, can cause unnecessary risks to workers who experience serious medical problems that may require evacuation or extensive care. It behooves managers to know what kind of coverage their staff members have in case of an emergency.
Although workers often choose their own nutrition and exercise habits, managers should look for warning signs when a staff member's personal health appears to deteriorate. Certain nutrients may not be available in the regional diet, and staff members experiencing intense stress or obsessive behavior may skip meals or exclusively consume "comfort" foods and beverages to the detriment of their health. This can lead to individuals running a higher risk of contracting or not recovering from an infectious illness, or could otherwise negatively affect their experience in the field.
Managers should also be aware of how to access basic health and emergency medical care for staff and participants when it is not available directly through the program. What capacities does the local health clinic or hospital have to care for people with different conditions? How far away is it and how will care be paid for? Since humanitarian workers sometimes serve in remote or unstable locales, managers should stay up to date on what health options exist in the region where they work.
If addressed properly, health prevention and care measures can positively impact workers' mental health and greatly reduce their stress, thus allowing them to better pursue their goals. As a manager, the resources below can help you deal with these health-related issues.
Online Resources
For sources of information about travel insurance, see the Travel Insurance Comparison website and the Independent Traveler's Guide to Travel Insurance
International SOS
If you need to know more about providing medical assistance and evacuation services for your expatriate staff, have a look at the website of International SOS, the industry leader. While psychosocial.org is not endorsing this particular overseas medical service, we have found their website contains some helpful information on what you might want to consider when arranging these services for your organization.
The Blood Care Foundation
Claims to get safe blood to almost any location in the world within twenty-four hours.
Useful current information on health risks in particular countries or regions can be found on the following websites:
Online first aid manuals can be found at Active First Aid and First Aid for Soldiers.
Medical Emergencies and First Aid, Aid Workers Network
This section of the aidworkers.net website contains very general information on medical emergencies and first aid.
Taking Care of Yourself, APS Healthcare
It's important for you to support your staff in taking care of their health, not only during critical events, but every day during their tenure. In addition, it's important to help offer them ways of taking care of themselves upon re-entry. This document offers a guide to simple ways of caring for one's physical and mental health; how to recognize normal symptoms of critical incident stress; and ways to decompress once the assignment is complete.
Emotional Health Issues for Disaster Workers, Red Cross
This brief article highlights that disaster workers are a population whose emotional health is especially at risk. A description of these risks is followed by a discussion on the importance of coping and accompanying suggestions for coping mechanisms.
Room for Improvement: Management and Support of Relief and Development Workers, Relief and Rehabilitation Network (report on a study)
This report describes the findings and recommendations resulting from an
investigation into the support and management provided to workers in relief and
development. Methods included a survey of 200 returned workers and discussions
with employing agencies.
Occupational Health of Field Personnel in Complex Emergencies: Report of a Pilot Study, World Health Organization
The number of humanitarian agencies, including both UN and non-governmental organizations, involved in complex emergencies has increased significantly in the last ten years, and the number of people being recruited by these agencies to work in field situations has also grown. Given the type of work people are being recruited to do, and the conditions in which they are working, the need to review employer-employee relationships, recruitment policies and practices, and the type of preparation and back-up staff are given while in the field has also become more evident.
Critical Incident Stress Information Sheet, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
Review this information sheet to learn the signs and signals of a stress reaction, and things to try to help alleviate symptoms.
Stress and Trauma Handbook, World Vision
This link provides a review and option to purchase John Fawcett's "Stress and Trauma Handbook." The book addresses how stress impacts human functioning, the signs of burn-out, steps that can be taken to reduce the effect of stress and strain, and how this research affects the practicalities of everyday humanitarian work. Using real stories, a series of check-lists, stress indicators, and burn-out monitors, this book aims to help aid-workers track their well being.
On taking care of your own health in "aid environments," see
The Humanitarian Companion. Ehrenreich, J. (2004). London: ITDG Publishing, Ch. 3
The traveler's good health guide: A guide for backpackers, travelers, volunteers, and overseas workers. Lankester, T. (1999). Sheldon Press, London.
Where there is no doctor: a village health care handbook. Werner, D., Maxwell, J., & Thurman, C. (2002). Hesperian Foundation, Berkeley, CA.
First aid manuals are readily available in book stores. Two good ones are
The American Red Cross First Aid and Safety Handbook. The American Red Cross and Handal, K.A. (1992). Little, Brown and Co., New York.
St. John Ambulance Guide to First Aid and CPR. The St. John Ambulance. Random House of Canada, Toronto.
All photos © Karl Grobl
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