AMA/NDLS™ Disaster Volunteer Physician Registry (help Haiti)

Have you heard of the AMA/NDLS™ Disaster Volunteer Physician Registry? The American Medical Association (AMA) has set up a section on their website where physicians can fill out some information to volunteer in Haiti.

Here's what physicians received (as an eVoice Alert from the AMA):

While hospitals in Haiti have reported a decrease in emergency patients and hospitalizations since the middle of last week, the need for continued medical assistance is still significant. As a result, the need for all physicians—within the disciplines of primary care, surgery and rehabilitation—will continue over the following months.

This news surfaced when representatives from the AMA’s Center for Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response met with federal officials and other private sector partners in Washington, D.C., last week. I encourage you—as the AMA remains heavily engaged with the international response community—to consider how you too can help with this effort.
The AMA/NDLS™ Disaster Volunteer Physician Registry provides an easy and convenient means to facilitate and coordinate the deployment of physicians who are willing to volunteer with federal and private sector response organizations. The information you provide will be used specifically for disaster response deployment to Haiti, but it may also be employed should future disasters occur around the world.

Remember, the health care infrastructure in Port-au-Prince and other areas affected by the Jan. 12 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks have suffered significant damage. This environment isn’t one that many of us have ever seen before. It’s physically challenging, austere and resource-constrained. Therefore, we must be self-sufficient and able to work independently.
And we must be prepared. So if you want to help, start by viewing a free online training program—from the AMA and the NDLS™ Education Consortium—entitled "Medical and public health responders: Prepare for the Haitian earthquake disaster relief efforts." It will help you gain a better understanding of the essential clinical and public health skills needed to manage individuals and populations affected by the earthquake.

It truly is an amazing thing how we as a nation and the entire world have quickly come together to help our fellow members of mankind. Practicing physicians, we need your help. Visit www.ama-assn.org/go/haiti-volunteer to learn more about the AMA/NDLS™ Disaster Volunteer Physician Registry, or to register, today. And thank you—your efforts are deeply appreciated.

                  J. James Rohack, MD, President

Click here to learn more about the AMA/NDLS™ Disaster Volunteer Physician Registry.