Importance of preparedness and timing in public health

If we had a wish, it would be for the ability to determine the exact probabilities of a risk occurring, when and how. Where the subsequent maternal or child death will be happening. Unfortunately, none of us possesses a magic ball to fulfil that wish.

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At this point in history, the fact is that timing plays a crucial role in stopping preventable deaths of the mother and child. Any lapse in efficient timing and the unfortunate evil (e.g. Maternal death) will find it and strike. This is why it is vital to have strong public health systems, medical professionals and decision makers.

Precrisis or prodromal signs/stage begins as a symptom of issues emerges, so if these warning signs are not recognised and attended to, the likelihood of a negative event occurring increases (Venette, 2008). For example, excessive vomiting/nausea, severe headaches, and protein in the urine are some of the symptoms that a pregnant woman is developing pre-eclampsia. These symptoms could become worse, and the woman may eventually be diagnosed with eclampsia if the woman does not take the appropriate medication. The scenario above demonstrated the importance of timing between risk and a potential crisis (maternal deaths).

Another useful example can be seen in the recommended time prescribed to pregnant women for their first visit to the hospital.The National Health Service UK has recommended that ideally, a woman should get in touch with her health care provider no later than the 10th week of pregnancy (NHS, 2016). An early meeting between the pregnant woman and her antenatal care service provider is advocated for, in an attempt to identify risk factors and prevent future complications that may arise. For example, the prenatal diagnosis of certain conditions such as Down’s syndrome is possible preferably by the 16th week and no later than 20weeks (Simpson & Walker 1980).

Several factors come into play in the probabilities of a pregnant woman and her child surviving or dying. In particular, across the developing countries, we need adequately equipped laboratories that can rapidly diagnose the cause of illness. We need an effective ambulatory system that can reach individuals with no means of getting to health centres on time. We need community based participatory interventions that will be utilised in hard to reach the rural area for the education of the people on the advantages of good health seeking practice. We need an excellently skilled health care workforce armed with not only technical knowledge but also the importance of compassionate care. We need decision and policy makers who will make the health status of the citizens a political priority in their constituencies. Until we have these things, there will be significant gaps. Ultimately limiting our ability to stop preventable deaths.

As passionate stakeholders, we cannot accept the present state of affairs; we must put our skills and expertise into work that will make our various countries a safer place. In doing this, we are closer to achieving the Sustainable development Goals by 2030.

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