How We Tried to Prevent Disaster- Related Deaths at an Evacuation Center During the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake

Summary: • Event type: earthquake • Event onset date: January 1, 2024 • Location of event: Ishikawa, Japan • Response type: medical relief at an evacuation center During the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, from January 3 to 24, Nippon Medical School Hospital dispatched eight medical teams in a row, with 39 medical staff (15 doctors, seven nurses, 10 paramedics, five pharmacists, and two radiographers). These teams provided 24-hour medical services at a first-aid station in a designated evacuation center with a capacity of approximately 700 evacuees. Over the three weeks, 204 patients received medical care, including 57 patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease, which posed significant challenges for infection control. Additionally, these teams served as medical liaisons, collaborating with other support organizations to enhance sanitary conditions and reinforce health management practices. These teams implemented phase-specific interventions, such as conducting evacuation center assessments, screening the health status of individuals requiring assistance, supporting the reopening of the school used as an evacuation center, and coordinating with local healthcare systems during the chronic phase of disaster response. The number of evacuees gradually decreased, with only 92 remaining by January 24, when the first-aid station was decommissioned. These coordinated efforts supported evacuation center operations led by the local authorities and residents. Each team played a role in preventing fatalities and improving the quality of life within the evacuation center, while adapting to the evolving needs of each phase. Ultimately, the absence of fatalities during the operational period underscored the effectiveness of these collaborative health interventions.