Paper for the Workshop on ‘Disaster Management for the Health Sector in Indonesia’,
Bali Padma Hotel, Kuta, 11-13 Juni 2003

VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE AT SANGLAH HOSPITAL
AFTER THE KUTA BLAST (12-10-2002)

2. Collection of victims from the disaster site

   Victims (both injured and deceased) were taken out of the disaster sites (Sari Club and Paddy's) by police, fire brigade personnel, and also by local residents and passers-by. They were brought to various clinics around Kuta (and eventually most of them to Sanglah hospital) with vehicles available on the spot. Costs in terms of human life due to inadequate triage are difficult to assess.

   Note. Volunteers under guidance of a local leader took care that personnel items of victims did not get lost (where gathered in 2 buckets provided by local residents). No theft or looting took place. Local residents also came forward with white cloth (usually available at a household for Balinese ceremonies) to cover bodies. Praise to Bali, to the inhabitants of Kuta!

   However, not all injured were brought to hospital. Quite a few people went back to their villages with sometimes horrific injuries. One died before help could be given. Maybe this is because of a fear of hospitals, or a fear of costs.

   When people arrived at various hospitals, personal details filled in on the records were sometimes sketchy or inaccurate. This hampered matching people treated and data on missing people coming in from family and tracing victims who were transported between hospitals.

   Recommendations: More professional facilities (ambulances, equipped motorbikes) and personnel for collection of injured and deceased stationed on strategic sites. Train volunteers for first aid in emergencies (and call them by sms). Keep at hand and apply plastic bracelets to all victims (injured and deceased) with any relevant details to be had (to be completed at hospital) Ensure that adequate personal data on victims treated are recorded. Check with family. Inform the public as soon as possible and repeatedly that injured people should go for treatment and to which hospitals they can go, including information on costs involved.

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