‘Vaccination’ warning for earthquake-stricken children migrating
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Necmi İlhan spoke to News Agency about possible health problems in the region after the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş. Claiming that whatever diseases are common in the pre-earthquake region, the same is expected to be seen. Dr İlhan said: “It is possible to evaluate this in different groups. At the beginning of this are chronic diseases that may have been present in the region before; diseases such as heart and diabetes. These are also currently being treated in the region and patients are being followed. Another is infectious diseases that can occur at any time after extraordinary situations. After an earthquake in a region, people live in closer living conditions. Living close to each other can cause diseases that can be transmitted through the respiratory tract, diseases that are transmitted by contact or pollution of water sources. It is possible to say that the diseases to be transmitted are relatively higher. This is also quite natural; people live together,” he said.
‘PSYCHOSOCIAL PROBLEMS CAN REMAIN’
Prof. Dr. Ilhan emphasized that with the warming of the weather, more attention should be paid to hygiene, especially against diseases. “Psychiatric problems in the region are also important. Our people were even affected when they looked at the wreckage on screen, but what was in the region was much more affected. Psychiatric services are provided in tent cities. It is necessary to properly support the society psychosocial problems may continue in the future. Another important point is Special groups. Children, pregnant women, our citizens with mental health problems, adolescent women, the Ministry of Health provides follow-up for them,” he said.
Warning to migrating earthquake-affected children and pregnant women, Prof. Dr. İlhan said, “Child vaccinations are very important here. Our citizens should be careful about vaccinating their children after the earthquake. A group of our citizens migrated from the region. If vaccines are not made for children, they can become vulnerable to childhood diseases. What we are talking about here is not just flu (influenza) really. We are talking about vaccines such as diphtheria, whooping cough, measles, tetanus, tuberculosis. If they register with the Ministry of Health, they can register with the family medical centers in the places they visit.”The children will be put under medical care, if the missing vaccines are left, they will be done. Our pregnant citizens should not neglect the follow-up of their children in the places they go to ensure that their children are born healthy,” he said.