Essentials of Medical Coordination in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies

Joanna Kotcher holds a Master’s Degree in Global Health, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a BA in International Studies. She has coordinated emergency response in conflict environments for the past 18 years in such locations as Kosovo, Central Asia (Tajikistan), Afghanistan, Darfur, Gaza and the OPT, Somaliland, Syria, and Iraq. As a Medical/Surgical Coordinator Ms. Kotcher has coordinated and managed medical teams in the start-up and full implementation stages of projects that assist populations in need of emergency medical and surgical care during armed conflict. She has also coordinated post-conflict actions during the period immediately following “official” cessation of armed conflict. Working in insecure environments, Ms. Kotcher has extensive experience in the design and implementation of medical/surgical actions, team building and support, implementation of standards and guidelines, medical and nursing staff training, and team mentoring. She continues to study and learn while working in the field and maintaining membership with notable professional organizations in the combined disciplines of humanitarian studies and medical/surgical assistance.

Part 1: Foundation
1. Elements of low resource and conflict environments
2. Humanitarian health systems: one sector within a coordinated response
3. Standards, protocols, guidelines
4. The role of the coordinator
5. Assessment and start-up
6. The project proposal: essential elements
7. Basic epidemiological measurements and tools
8. Team management and coordination

Part II: Implementation
9. Medical logistics
10. Primary health care
11. Sexual and reproductive health
12. Emergency medical care
13. Laboratory and safe blood transfusion
14. Surgical services
15. Trauma surgery in armed conflict
16. Expanded program on immunization (EPI)
17. Nutrition
18. Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS)
19. Management of non-infectious disease
20. Community health promotion
21. Health information systems and disease surveillance
22. Humanitarian medics and human rights

Appendices
1. Sample job descriptions for medical/health coordination
2. Indicators by health care sector
3. Commonly used epidemiological tools
4. Sample training outlines by sector
5. Universal precautions
6. Minimum standards for aseptic technique