Notice from the Hospital
Message from the Head of the Emergency Operation Center
- TOP
- Disaster Measures
- Message from the Head of the Emergency Operation Center
It can be hard to imagine what medical care looks like during a disaster, but it’s important to understand the challenges that can arise. Disasters come in many forms—from major events like earthquakes and floods to smaller incidents such as train accidents, explosions, or even armed conflicts.
When a disaster happens, many people may be injured at the same time, which can overwhelm hospitals and emergency services. In addition, essential services like electricity and water—often called “lifelines”—may stop working, especially during earthquakes or war. This can make it difficult to get the medical equipment and medicines needed. In such situations, it’s not always possible to treat everyone equally, so healthcare workers may have to give priority to those who need help the most. To save as many lives as possible with limited resources, regular training for medical staff is essential.
Okayama University Hospital is a designated disaster base hospital. This means we act as a central hub during emergencies and are prepared to treat many injured people. Our hospital includes many trained members of the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT)—healthcare professionals who respond quickly during disasters—and we hold regular training inside the hospital. For example, during the heavy rains that affected western Japan in 2018, we set up a DMAT operations headquarters for southeastern Okayama Prefecture and provided timely care to those in need.
Our Disaster Response Office works closely with other disaster base hospitals in Okayama Prefecture and with different departments in our hospital to strengthen the local disaster medical system. We also offer training on disaster medicine for our staff and run joint drills with outside organizations. As a university hospital and research center, we also focus on studying disaster medicine and sharing useful information.
A smooth medical response during a disaster also depends on the cooperation of patients and the wider community. If a disaster happens—whether you are an inpatient or an outpatient—we kindly ask that you follow the instructions of our medical staff. Please know that we, as healthcare professionals, will do everything we can to help everyone return to normal life as soon as possible. We appreciate your understanding and support.
Thank you.
Tsuyoshi Nojima
Head of the Emergency Operation Center, Okayama University Hospital
When a disaster happens, many people may be injured at the same time, which can overwhelm hospitals and emergency services. In addition, essential services like electricity and water—often called “lifelines”—may stop working, especially during earthquakes or war. This can make it difficult to get the medical equipment and medicines needed. In such situations, it’s not always possible to treat everyone equally, so healthcare workers may have to give priority to those who need help the most. To save as many lives as possible with limited resources, regular training for medical staff is essential.
Okayama University Hospital is a designated disaster base hospital. This means we act as a central hub during emergencies and are prepared to treat many injured people. Our hospital includes many trained members of the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT)—healthcare professionals who respond quickly during disasters—and we hold regular training inside the hospital. For example, during the heavy rains that affected western Japan in 2018, we set up a DMAT operations headquarters for southeastern Okayama Prefecture and provided timely care to those in need.
Our Disaster Response Office works closely with other disaster base hospitals in Okayama Prefecture and with different departments in our hospital to strengthen the local disaster medical system. We also offer training on disaster medicine for our staff and run joint drills with outside organizations. As a university hospital and research center, we also focus on studying disaster medicine and sharing useful information.
A smooth medical response during a disaster also depends on the cooperation of patients and the wider community. If a disaster happens—whether you are an inpatient or an outpatient—we kindly ask that you follow the instructions of our medical staff. Please know that we, as healthcare professionals, will do everything we can to help everyone return to normal life as soon as possible. We appreciate your understanding and support.
Thank you.
Tsuyoshi Nojima
Head of the Emergency Operation Center, Okayama University Hospital
