The Asia Pacific Emergency and Disaster Nursing Network
APEDNN was held on the 12th – 13th of November, 2019 in Hong Kong. APEDNN is a networking event held annually which aims to build the capacities of nurses in their coordination and effectivity during times of emergency and natural disaster. The Network has around 240 active members from over 40 countries in the Asia Pacific Region.
WHO CC Involvement
WHOCC UTS Director Michele Rumsey held a keynote speech entitled ‘Politics and Power: Health Care Capacity for Disaster Response Under a Changing Climate in the Pacific’. Michele discussed the capacity of health care respondence in a shifting climate in the Pacific. The health care capacity of a region was highlighted in its mutability, the ability to adapt to changing climates was identified as a major determinant in how effective the health care work force was in managing emergencies and natural disasters. Michele discussed the importance of developed policy and publications targeted the intended audience. Michele covered the global policy structures for WHO from World Health Assemble to local Heal Authorities and the importance of a CNO to coordinate country strategies.
Agenda Day 1
The opening ceremony featured speeches from Prof. Alex Molasiotis (Chair Professor of Nursing and Head of School, School of Nursing Director,
WHO CC of Community of Health Services the Hong Kong Polytechnic University) and Elizabeth Iro (Chief Nursing Officer, WHO).
Asian Pacific Emergency Disaster Nursing Network articulates increase of disaster over the years.
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Following, sessions regarding ‘the experience and challenges in the face of Dorian Hurricane in the Bahamas’, ‘Emergency preparedness – You and me can be the one’, and ‘transdisciplinary efforts on a policy development to reduce disaster vulnerabilities’ were held. These keynotes were held by Prof Prescola Rolle (Nursing Officer, Princess Margaret Hospital, Bahamas), Mr Ying-Keung Alex Wong (Chief Staff Officer, the Government of the Hong Kong SAR) and Prof. Ogcheol Lee (Chairperson, World Society of Disaster Nursing, Chung-Anf University, South Korea), respectively.
APEDNN then held talks on the scientific approach to Emergency and Disaster nursing. The integration of Sendai Frameworks of Disaster Risk Reduction into nursing competencies and education, the current state of undergraduate nursing programs in South Korea, and how the combination of the arts and sciences can improve disaster risk reduction were all discussed.
Agenda Day 2
Keynote speeches included ‘The team building and management of the WHO EMT’ and ‘Nurses’ roles in preparing and responding to the threats of emerging infections: Experience sharing in Hong Kong’, were held by Mr Lei Ye (Vice President of Emergency Nursing Committee, Chinese Nursing Association) and Mr Ngai-Ming Anthony Ng (Senior Nursing Officer, Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, The Government of the Hong Kong SAR), respectively.
An expert panel discussion was held on the revised version of ICN competencies and the impacts it may have on nursing education and practice. The panel featured Dr Bettina Evio (Philippines), Prof. Seunyong Joe (South Korea), Prof. Sonoe Mashino (Japan), Dr Caryn West (Australia), and Prof. Alice Yuen Loke (Hong Kong).
