The basic health care system in a crisis situation after the use of weapons of mass destruction

Journal Title: Security and Defence Quarterly - Year 2019, Vol 25, Issue 3

Abstract

Weapons of mass destruction pose a threat that all health care institutions should be prepared for. Every health care centre can be an essential part of the joint system of response when a critical situation occurs. Although, since 1945, no nuclear weapon has been employed in any armed conflict, cases of both chemical and radiological weapon use have been reported. Taking into account the analysts’ opinion that the 21st century has begun a super-terrorism era (Alexander and Hoenig 2001, p. 7) and, hence, the increased interest of terrorist organisations in acquiring mass destruction weapons, it is difficult to point out the location of a possible attack. A terrorist attack with the use of weapons of mass destruction may happen in any place, both urban and rural. According to the strategy adopted in the event of a critical situation resulting from such attack, the heavily injured should be transported to hospitals located in the closest location of the incident at the proper stage of evacuation. The problem is, however, to prepare a sufficient number of places for all victims of an attack and to provide them with professional medical care. In this context, it seems justified to consider the role and capabilities of the basic (primary) health care, as the most popular element of the health care system that has the resources to operate in a critical situation, and as the institution protecting citizens’ lives and health, i.e. the national safety attributes.

Authors and Affiliations

Mateusz Kuczabski

Keywords

Related Articles

Simulation framework for practical cyber security training in the public service

The public service sector is a key target of cyberattacks. In order to prevent and effectively tackle such attacks, organisations should continuously develop their defence capabilities. As part of developing such capabil...

Selected models of information warfare in cyberspace

One form of activity in cyberspace is the information battle. One of the proposed definitions will define it as a negative co–operation in the sphere of information acquisition, information distortion and information def...

Mechanisms for providing cybersecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic: Perspectives for Ukraine

The article analyses key cybersecurity trends against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic, trends that could lead to an increase in cyber threats. It also looks at cyber threats related to remote work in this period....

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP705884
  • DOI https://doi.org/10.35467/sdq/106083
  • Views 77
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Mateusz Kuczabski (2019). The basic health care system in a crisis situation after the use of weapons of mass destruction. Security and Defence Quarterly, 25(3), -. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-705884