Healthcare Military Logistics at Disaster Regions around the World: Insights from Ten Field Hospital Missions over Three Decades

The Israeli Defense Force Medical Corps deployed airborne medical relief operations to disaster regions, inflicted by natural (earthquake, typhoon, and tsunami) and man-made catastrophes. Missions operated around the globe, in Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, and the Middle East. In this study, based on literature review and interviewing of commanders and participants of ten of such missions operating in nine countries (Armenia, Rwanda, Kosovo, Turkey, India, Haiti, Japan, Philippines, and Nepal), we analyze and outline the principals in assembling and operating these missions. Deployment of the relief operations was swift, to address the needs as soon as possible, even at the cost of partial pre-assessment and a wide margin of uncertainty. This was compensated by the design of multi-disciplinarian and self-sufficient and independent units with flexible operative modes, enabling improvisations to cope with unexpected medical and operative needs. The experience gained in these missions led to a well-defined methodology of assembly and deployment of foreign field hospital in a short time. The review shows an evolutionary pattern with improvements implemented from one mission to the other, with special adaptations to address specific requirements and accommodate language, national culture barriers, and ethical dilemmas.