Public Health and Primary Health Care Services Provided in the Province Following the Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes

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Beyoğlu M. M., Gökler M. E.

Chronicles of Precision Medical Researchers, cilt.7, sa.2, ss.113-119, 2026 (Hakemli Dergi)

Özet

Aim: This study aimed to describe the public health and primary health care services delivered in Kahramanmaraş Province from the first day of the earthquakes through the end of the first month following the disaster. Material and Method: A descriptive study was conducted covering February 6–March 6, 2023. Daily syndromic surveillance was performed for respiratory tract infections, acute gastrointestinal infections, exanthematous diseases, jaundice, and scabies. Immunization activities were monitored through routine records of vaccines administered, including hepatitis B, BCG, DTP-IPV-Hib, pneumococcal conjugate, MMR, oral polio, tetanus–diphtheria, hepatitis A, varicella, and rabies vaccines. Water quality was assessed at district level and classified as compliant or non-compliant. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Health services were established in 46 tent and container settlements, with 16 operating on a 24-hour basis. During the study period, 5,445 child follow-ups, 1,774 antenatal visits, and 979 postnatal visits were recorded. Tetanus-diphtheria, DTP-IPV-Hib, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines were the most frequently administered vaccines. A total of 283,210 individuals were reached through 774 rural field visits. Among 1,646 water samples collected from 11 districts, 92% met safety standards, while microbiological noncompliance was detected in 104 samples. Conclusions: Despite major post-disaster challenges, essential public health and primary care services were maintained during the first month. Primary health care delivery, surveillance, immunization, and psychosocial support were key components of the response, highlighting the importance of organized public health systems in strengthening disaster resilience. Keywords: Earthquakes, primary health care, public health, syndromic surveillance, immunization