Sustainable Healthcare Resilience: Disaster Preparedness in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province Hospitals

Noora A. AlDulijand, Ahmed M. Al-Wathinani (), Mohammed A. Abahussain, Mohammad A. Alhallaf, Hassan Farhat and Krzysztof Goniewicz ()
Additional contact information
Noora A. AlDulijand: Human Resources Department, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam 32253, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed M. Al-Wathinani: Department of Emergency Medical Services, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz College for Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed A. Abahussain: Department of Emergency Medical Services, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz College for Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Mohammad A. Alhallaf: Department of Emergency Medical Services, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz College for Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Hassan Farhat: Ambulance Service, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
Krzysztof Goniewicz: Department of Security, Polish Air Force University, 08-521 Deblin, Poland

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: In a world increasingly vulnerable to environmental and health crises, sustainable healthcare systems are crucial. This study focuses on the resilience and sustainability of healthcare services in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, assessing their readiness to endure and adapt amidst disaster scenarios. Conducted through a cross-sectional survey involving 522 hospital employees, the research provides an in-depth analysis of various sustainability-related aspects of healthcare preparedness. This includes examining both structural and non-structural safety elements, standard operating procedures, staff training in disaster response, data security, and sustainable management of resources during emergencies. The results reveal a noteworthy commitment to sustainable disaster preparedness: 53.7% of hospitals, predominantly governed by the Ministry of Health, have implemented comprehensive disaster recovery plans. Furthermore, the study found a strong representation of female participants (54.2%) in these hospitals. A significant 64.1% of respondents confirmed the existence of disaster recovery plans in their workplaces, and an even higher percentage, 70.6%, reported receiving specific training in disaster response. These findings underscore the proactive efforts of Eastern Province hospitals in fostering a sustainable and resilient healthcare framework, demonstrating an approach that prioritizes preparedness beyond immediate crisis response. This proactive stance is pivotal in ensuring the continuity of healthcare services amidst the ever-evolving nature of global disasters.

Keywords: sustainable healthcare; disaster resilience; emergency preparedness; healthcare sustainability; resilience training; resource management; crises (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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