Quite often many East African are un- or underprepared to protect their own health and that of their families from the direct and indirect effects of an emergency on the public health and healthcare systems.
Preparedness falls into three broad categories:
· Personal Health Preparedness
· Plan Ahead and
· Create Community
Some tips of preparedness:
- Make sure you have a place to shelter yourself if asked to do so
- Maintain social distancing
- Keep enough supply of essential items such as food, water, and medication
- Be prepared for alternative ways of getting useful services in case of interruptions in service such electric power, communications
- Stock of essential medications for those with long term illness due to closures at pharmacies or unavailability of needed medical services