Public Health Emergency Operations Center - A critical component of mass gatherings management infrastructure

Authors

  • Habidah Elachola Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Jaffar A Al-Tawfiq Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Abdulhafiz Turkestani Makkah regional Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
  • Ziad A Memish Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.8332

Keywords:

Mass gatherings, Hajj, Emergency Operations Center

Abstract

Mass gatherings (MG) are characterized by the influx of large numbers of people with the need to have infrastructural changes to support these gatherings. Thus, Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) is critical management infrastructure for both the delivery of public health functions and for mounting adequate response during emergencies. The recognition of the importance of PHEOC at the leadership and political level is foundational for the success of any public health intervention during MG. The ability of the PHEOC to effectively function depends on appropriate design and infrastructure, staffing and command structure, and plans and procedures developed prior to the event. Multi-ministerial or jurisdictional coordination will be required and PHEOC should be positioned with such authorities. This paper outlines the essential concepts, elements, design, and operational aspects of PHEOC during MG.

Author Biography

Ziad A Memish, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Deputy Minister of Public HealthProfessor of MedicineCollege of MedicineAlfaisal University

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Published

2016-08-31

How to Cite

1.
Elachola H, Al-Tawfiq JA, Turkestani A, Memish ZA (2016) Public Health Emergency Operations Center - A critical component of mass gatherings management infrastructure. J Infect Dev Ctries 10:785–790. doi: 10.3855/jidc.8332

Issue

Section

Reviews