Abstracts

Hospitals are considered a place of hope and offers sense of security in the artermath of a disaster situation. Safe hospitals have symbolic social value; losing a health facility leads to a sense of insecurity and social/ political instability. Disaster-resilient hospitals must be able to protect the lives of patients and staff and continue to function. Hospitals need to ensure structural safety, non-structural safety and functional safety. The responsibility to take adequate measures for a safe and secure hospital environment lies not only with Govt or hospital authorities but also involves training and awareness among community viz patients, visitors and hospital staff at all levels.