Necessity and Feasibility of Medical Containers in Nankai Trough Mega Earthquake

Abstract

Introduction:In Japan, there is an 80% probability that the Nankai Trough Mega Earthquake will occur within 30 years, and a tsunami of more than 30 meters is expected to hit the Pacific coast, killing more than 320,000 people and devastating many towns. This study clarifies the necessity and feasibility of a high-performance medical container developed by Showa to fill the gap in medical care during a large-scale disaster, especially after the sub-acute stage.Method:1) Simulation of the damage to disaster center hospitals in the event of the Nankai Trough Mega Earthquake.2) To clarify the feasibility of immediate response, a demonstration experiment was conducted by combining and installing ten units of medical containers.Results:1) Of the prefectures where the death toll from Nankai Trough Mega Earthquake is estimated to be 5,000 or more, 119 disaster center hospitals located in cities and towns with coastlines were examined to determine if they were in the tsunami inundation zone. The results showed that 44 hospitals, or about 37%, were inundated and their medical functions were likely to be paralyzed.2) Ten containers of medical treatment rooms, ICUs, CTs, power supplies, and oxygen could be assembled in seven days. This is by far the shortest time compared to the more than two months it takes for a temporary hospital.Conclusion:It is clear that medical containers can fill the void of medical care in the event of Nankai Trough Mega Earthquake.