Disasters are often unforeseen events. Hospitals form a critical component of any country's disaster management medical support system. To ensure optimal operations, minimize chaos, and allow flexibility in response, planning and practice are crucial. Singapore Health Services (SingHealth) collaborated with Hasanuddin University (UnHas) in Makassar, Indonesia, to develop a Hospital Disaster Medical Support (HDMS) program for the province of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. An assessment of the needs of the hospitals in Makassar, Indonesia, for disaster preparedness was carried out. A curriculum for the HDMS program was developed based on the assessment. Discussions with stakeholders of various hospitals were held for the implementation of this program. A total of 310 participants were trained in this program over the two-year period. The feedback from the participants was positive. The exercises provided a more realistic simulation of the concepts of hospital management in a disaster situation. Up to 73 persons were also trained as program instructors during this period. The development of the cadre of instructors in hospital disaster medical support will likely help sustain the program for the next few years.
Keywords: disaster management; hospital disaster preparedness; hospital management; simulation.