Maternal and neonatal health in times of disaster

Abstract

Disasters can happen anywhere when nobody is expecting them. They cause terrible situations to communities and nations, harming individuals, health care systems and the economy. Millions of women and their children suffer from long term effects or even death due to consequences of disasters or the disaster itself. This dissertation aims to understand the effects that disasters cause on the health care systems and the effects that mothers and their newborn children encounter during such times of crises. In view of the current situation in Europe and around the world, the preparation of health care systems for such catastrophic events is highlighted. The importance of being prepared is discussed since midwives and other healthcare professional play a crucial role in humanitarian crises. Common ethical dilemmas in disaster crises are also studied. This dissertation was based on a literature search online databases, official documents and published literature.