Renal Disaster Relief Task Force (RDRTF)
The ISNs Renal Disaster Relief Task Force (RDRTF) provides essential medical care to people in the wake of natural disasters. The Task Force consists of a worldwide network of experts in the management of patients with acute renal failure. It was created after the severe earthquake in Armenia in 1988 to provide future renal aid in action wherever needed around the globe. The Task Force works in close collaboration with Medecins sans Fronti?res.
Committee Membership (January 2008 – January 2011)
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Chair/Coordinator: Raymond Vanholder (Belgium) Coordination center: |
Cusumano Ana Maria MD Escudero Elizabeth MD Harris David MD PhD Hooi lai Seong MD PhD Hurtado Abdias MD PhD Jha Vivekanand MD PhD Lameire Norbert MD PhD Li Philip MD PhD Lombardi Raul MD |
Luyckx Valerie MD |
Volunteers
Nephrologists and intensivists who are interested to enroll as volunteer for the RDRTF should contact the coordination centre through
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.
Download Task Description for Volunteers
Activities
The Task Force has recently offered crucial assistance in the aftermath of the below disasters:
2009 – September: Sumatra-Padang earthquake
A severe earthquake struck Western Sumatra, Indonesia, on September 30, 2009, shortly after an eartquake and tsunami in the Samoa Islands. Experts from the ISN-RDRTF went to Sumatra on October 1st, 2009 to evaluate support and needs as part of a broader team of M?decins sans Fronti?res (MSF).
2009 – April: l’Aquila, Italy earthquake
The ISN Renal Disaster Relief Task Force (RDRTF) was in continuous contact with several Italian physicians and sent recommendations on the practical approach of crush to the local physicians.
2008 – May: Sichuan- Chengdu, China earthquake
RDRTF assesors we sent to Chengu where materials were purchased by M?decins Sans Fronti?res (MSF) and were distributed. Other materials were made available by the Hong Kong Society of Nephrology.
2007 – August: Earthquake in Peru
In an immediate response to the dreadful Peru quake the RDRTF sent a volunteer, S. Claus, to join the MSF assessment team for a one week intervention.
2006 – July: Israelo-Lebanese War
The RDRTF teamed up once more with MSF colleagues to bring aid, supplies and relief to Lebanon within just three days of the initial alert.
2006 – May: Earthquake in Indonesia
Following the devastating earthquake that hit Indonesia on May 26, 2006, Task Force members underwent a 10 day intervention which consisted of the extensive screening of more than 1,000 hospitalized victims, as well as providing education on the identification and treatment of crush syndrome and acute renal failure.
2005 – October: Earthquake in Pakistan
In collaboration with colleagues from M?decins Sans Fronti?res (MSF), Task Force members were on the ground in Islamabad within days of the quake. The mission marked over two weeks of ISN intervention and relief work.
2003 – December: Earthquake in Iran
After the earthquake in Bam, 140 patients needed dialysis and were evacuated, first to the nearby city of Kerman and if necessary further away by air-bridge.
2003 – May: Earthquake in Algeria
1999 – August: Marmara Earthquake
After this major earthquake, close to 500 patients needed dialysis. Six doctors and more than 30 nurses were active over an entire month to help their Turkish colleagues. Furthermore, material help was offered by providing 5 hemodialysis machines and several thousands of dialysers.
Educational Material
The following education material is available for download:
Logistic Coordination in Renal Disasters
Crush Syndrome Following Disasters
RDRTF Crush Patients Clinical Follow-up Chart
RDRTF Crush Patients Questionnaire
RDRTF Crush Patients Flow Statistics
Links
M?decins Sans Fronti?res: http://www.msf.org/
ORPADT (Dutch website): http://www.orpadt.be/index.php
AFIDTN: http://www.afidtn.com