Ensuring the Safety of Sri Lankan Hospitals: Adaptation of the WHO “Safe Hospital” Initiative to Sri Lanka

Abstract

As a critical infrastructure, hospitals have to play a pivotal role in the health and well-being of a community. Specially during a disaster, hospitals are supposed to treat victims while continuing their day-to-day functions. At the same time, a hospital has to withstand the impacts of the disaster itself while safeguarding patients, staff, and visitors. Therefore, ‘Making hospitals safer’ emerged as a major concern that is included in global disaster reduction frameworks. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2030 emphasizes the need for strengthening disaster resilience of critical infrastructures such as hospitals. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030 also prioritize the concept of safe hospitals under the goals, Good health & well-being; and Industry, innovation, and infrastructure.