Latest news with #urgence
Zawya
09-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Supporting flood-affected populations in Democratic Republic of Congo to recover
Salima, a mother of four, was severely affected by the floods that hit Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in April 2025. She had previously fled violence and insecurity in the country's eastern provinces to seek refuge in Kinshasa 'A few days after I arrived, the rains caught us by surprise. We lost everything. The entire neighbourhood was heavily flooded. People had to flee to seek refuge elsewhere.' Many of the flood-affected Kinshasa residents were provided with temporary shelter in Kinkole, a neighbourhood in Kinshasa where the government set up a site. More than 100 families were relocated to the shelters. With ambulances mobilized under the World Health Organization's (WHO) SURGE system – a mechanism project for public health emergency preparedness and response – many patients, including pregnant women, were transferred promptly to referral health facilities, ensuring timely and appropriate care. 'Less than 24 hours after the disaster, we were on the ground for a rapid assessment of the situation,' said Dr Guy Kalambayi, Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer with WHO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 'We helped set up a care unit with the minimum resources needed to relieve the population. Our responsiveness was greatly appreciated by the communities, both in terms of addressing their immediate needs and safeguarding their health.' WHO supported the health authorities to develop public health situation analysis, provide health services to those affected, assess the health needs and provide safe drinking water to the displaced and the households hosting them. By June 2025, more than 5000 people were still living at the Kinkole site, out of the over 10 000 people affected by the floods in the sprawling capital city and its surroundings. Over than two months after the devastating floods that affected at least five major cities in the country, the authorities, supported by WHO and partners, continue to assist those affected to recover from the disaster. In total, about 1.5 million people were affected across the country by the floods, which also damaged more than 200 schools, over 100 health centres, as well as houses and markets. WHO provided essential medical supplies, including emergency medical equipment, to cover the health needs of 10 000 people for three months. WHO also supplied four tents for emergency shelter. 'With access to health services disrupted by the disaster, it is critically important to care for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities or chronic conditions who require regular care,' says Dr Kalmbayi. The authorities launched emergency efforts to repair damaged infrastructure and mobilize teams to coordinate humanitarian assistance. In Kinkole and elsewhere, the government and its partners are taking measures to ensure appropriate and dignified living conditions, providing continuity of health services and care, including vaccination and psychosocial support. 'We needed safe shelter, water and food. That's what we received, not to mention the care we received with free medicines,' says Albertine, a medical student in Kinshasa affected by the disaster. For Dr Emilia Sana, Flood Incident Manager at the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare, the coordinated response to the floods 'marks a turning point towards a more effective multisectoral framework for our efforts, bringing key ministries together at the highest level.' WHO and partners continue to support the government strengthen outbreak prevention measures, including securing the supply of safe drinking water, sanitation and reinforcing of community-based disease surveillance systems. 'We may have lost all our material possessions, but we are still alive and in good health. That's what matters,' says Salima. The Democratic Republic of the Congo remains vulnerable to climate-linked disasters. Off-season rains in June, for instance, claimed at least 29 lives in three districts of Kinshasa, with more than 500 households affected. 'One of the key takeaways from this emergency, both in Kinshasa and other provinces, is that there is power in collaboration, particularly in managing potentially epidemic diseases and chronic conditions, thereby ensuring continuity of care. WHO's support through providing medicines to the affected communities has been invaluable,' says Dr Sana of the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Democratic Republic of Congo.
Telegraph
08-07-2025
- Telegraph
Bees attack French town, leaving dozens injured
A swarm of bees attacked a French town on Sunday, leaving dozens of people injured and three in a critical condition in hospital. In an incident lasting around 30 minutes, 24 people were stung in the centre of Aurillac, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, authorities said. A 78-year-old man suffered a cardiac arrest after being stung 25 times. He was later revived and is now in a stable condition. Emergency services, including police, medical teams and firefighters, rushed to the scene to treat the injured and cordon off the area. One mother said she was returning home with her three-year-old daughter when she heard shouting and panic. She was stung four times in the neck while trying to flee. 'There were a lot of bees, there were old people on the ground. It's the first time I've seen that,' she told French radio station RMC. An 80-year-old woman, who lives by the square where the attack happened, described the chaos. 'I saw two young women and a couple shaking each other. I saw a young woman in her bra and panties, she didn't know how to handle this problem,' she told France Info. 'I got the impression they were being assaulted by something but I didn't know what.' The bees reportedly appeared from a rooftop apiary on the terrace of the Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux, near Place du Square. Pierre Mathonier, the town's mayor, said: 'One theory seems to hold water… Asian hornets must have threatened the hive, which provoked the bees' aggression. These aggressive bees spread to Avenue de la République and attacked passers-by.' However, some experts cast doubt on that theory. Mickaël Henry, the director of the bees and environment research team, told the Libération newspaper: 'When faced with a hornet, bees generally tend to stop going out and protect the entrance of the hive.' Walid Loulidi, a master beekeeper at the Paris School of Beekeeping, gave another possible explanation. He said that breeding black bees with other species – a strategy used to increase honey production – could result in changes in behaviour over time. The rooftop apiary has been moved since the incident, and Mr Mathonier said he was considering banning them in the town. The Aurillac prosecutor's office said it was requesting the destruction of the 70,000 bees in the area.
Medscape
27-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Sudden Death? New French Guidelines Say Investigate
The French Society of Emergency Medicine (SFMU) and Society of Forensic Medicine and Medical Expertise (SFMLEM) have developed new professional guidelines regarding medicolegal practices, which particularly address the medicolegal hold (a translation of the French term 'l'obstacle médico-légal'). The medicolegal hold is a legal restriction that physicians may place on a deceased person's body to prevent burial or cremation until further investigation (eg, autopsy or forensic exam) is completed. This process allows doctors to flag deaths that are unexplained, suspicious, or potentially linked to a criminal act. Emmanuel Margueritte, MD The new guidance on medicolegal holds was presented at the Urgences 2025 Congress, held recently in Paris. Emmanuel Margueritte, MD, a forensic and emergency physician at the University Hospital of Montpellier in southern France, spoke with Medscape's French edition about the new situations in which physicians should request further investigations to determine the cause of death. Why were new recommendations for medicolegal holds necessary? The SFMU and SFMLEM issued an update to give emergency physicians a clear framework for when to apply a medicolegal hold in cases of death. Emergency departments face these situations daily. These recommendations serve as a practical guide. Ultimately, it's up to the magistrates to decide whether to proceed with more extensive investigations or stop at a minimal review. What changes with the new recommendations? In what new cases must a physician initiate a medicolegal hold? Certain scenarios have now been clarified, including cases of unexpected infant death (mort inattendue du nourrisson [MIN]), where updated guidance has been issued in recent years. In such cases, emergency physicians may face two possibilities. If no suspicious elements are present, an autopsy is conducted in a medical setting at a specialized MIN center. If there are suspicious factors — outlined by the French National Authority for Health (HAS) — the physician must initiate a medicolegal hold, and the autopsy is performed under judicial oversight. A medicolegal hold must also be issued in the event of a fatal traffic accident. Unlike earlier guidelines, the revised recommendations no longer require the involvement of a third party at fault for the hold to be applied. The definition of sudden death has also been slightly broadened beyond what international specialty societies have proposed. Age should no longer be considered a strict criterion when determining whether to initiate a medicolegal hold. Each case must be assessed on its own merits to identify any suspicious features. In younger individuals, the guidance is to always issue a hold in cases of sudden death — unless there is a well-established medical condition that explains it. In suicide cases, some physicians may hesitate to issue a hold, but it remains a recommended step. For example, a hanging may initially appear straightforward but could mask a homicide. A number of such cases have been identified in recent years. More broadly, any unexplained death — including among older individuals found deceased without external signs of violence or a clear medical history — warrants heightened vigilance. These are situations where homicides or suspicious causes of death can be easily overlooked. How does a physician initiate a medicolegal hold? In practice, the physician initiates a medicolegal hold by checking a designated box on the death certificate. Once this is done, all funeral proceedings are suspended. If the physician is part of the emergency medical services, dispatch alerts law enforcement that a medicolegal hold has been issued, and the scene is secured. When possible, the medical team is asked to remain on site until police arrive. Law enforcement then informs the public prosecutor about the situation. In major cities, a forensic pathologist is typically dispatched to perform an on-site examination. In smaller towns without a forensic medicine institute (institut médico-légal [IML]), the deceased may be transferred to a regional IML for further evaluation. At that point, the prosecutor may order additional procedures such as an autopsy, imaging (CT scan), or toxicological analysis. What typically happens after a medicolegal hold is issued? Among the approximately 646,000 deaths recorded in France in 2024, about 12,000 autopsies were performed. However, the total number of medicolegal holds is not well documented. Better tracking would help the justice system understand what actions follow a hold and allow for more comprehensive evaluation of their legal outcomes. Do you think the number of medicolegal holds has increased in recent years? We don't have reliable data on that. However, the newly issued recommendations may influence how often physicians initiate medicolegal holds. Clinicians will consult the updated guidance and assess each case individually. That said, a dramatic increase in the number of holds is not expected. You mentioned at the congress that medicolegal holds can have important insurance implications for surviving family members. Yes, determining the exact cause of death can be critical. Physicians must remain vigilant in certain situations. For example, if someone has a fatal heart attack at work, with early symptoms appearing during their commute, the incident may be classified as a workplace accident rather than a commuting accident. This distinction has legal and financial consequences. A 2019 ruling by France's Court of Cassation confirmed that classification as a workplace accident can result in significantly higher compensation for surviving family members. Even in apparently straightforward cases — such as sudden death following chest pain — it's essential to initiate a medicolegal investigation to determine the precise cause. Such investigations are not only relevant for justice but are also critical for survivors' legal rights. Is there a public health benefit to medicolegal holds? Yes. While the legal system may not focus on whether a death was caused by myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, or an aneurysm rupture, it does focus on distinguishing between natural and criminal causes. The classification of death as natural, accidental, or suspicious is what matters most from a judicial and public health perspective. Does it happen often that no investigation is pursued? Yes, that can happen. Sometimes a medicolegal hold is lifted quickly. After receiving an initial report, the police officer on the scene may determine there is no indication of a criminal act, and in such cases, the body is not transferred to the IML. In rare instances, if the attending physician continues to suspect something unusual, they can report the case directly to judicial authorities. During the quiz you held at the congress, many responses didn't align with the new guidelines. Does this suggest a need for continued education? Absolutely. It's crucial for clinicians — especially those working in emergency medicine — to familiarize themselves with the new guidelines. These will be published in the Annales Françaises de Médecine d'Urgence (official publication of the SFMU) and made available nationwide via the websites of the SFMU and SFMLEM. Understanding these recommendations is not optional for emergency physicians. Managing deaths is part of their routine duties, particularly when working in prehospital emergency care during severe accidents or crime scene responses. One final point: You also recommend leaving resuscitation equipment in place on the body. Why is that? Yes, we now advise that all resuscitation devices remain in place. This is important for the forensic examination. Certain life-saving procedures, such as injections or emergency thoracostomies, can leave marks that may be difficult to distinguish from traumatic injuries (eg, stab wounds). Leaving the equipment intact allows forensic specialists to better differentiate medical interventions from potential criminal trauma, improving the accuracy of the investigation.
CBC
18-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Heavy rain expected overnight in parts of western Quebec
Heavy downpours are expected across a large area of western Quebec starting Wednesday night. Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for a swath of the region stretching from Maniwaki and Témiscaming. Between 40 and 60 millimetres of rain is expected overnight and into Thursday evening. "Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads," the warning reads. Environment Canada issues rainfall warnings when significant rainfall is expected.
CTV News
22-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Half of Quebecers without a first responder service: auditor general
More than two-thirds of municipalities, home to half of Quebec's population, do not have a first responder service, according to the Auditor General (AG). In a report published on Thursday, the AG stated that in 45 per cent of 'very urgent' calls in these municipalities, ambulance attendants took more than 10 minutes to reach the patient. 'In the case of cardiorespiratory arrest, for example, each minute without intervention reduces the chances of survival by seven to 10 per cent. After 10 minutes, the chances of survival are almost zero,' he notes. First responders generally arrive on the scene more quickly to provide basic care, while ambulance attendants provide more advanced medical care and safe transport. The Act respecting pre-hospital emergency services stipulates that Santé Québec must take the necessary measures to support the establishment of a first responder service within the territory of each of its establishments. In winter 2025, a committee comprising the Ministère de la Santé, Santé Québec, the Union des municipalités and the Fédération québécoise des municipalités had still not reached agreement on how to fund this service. Moreover, between 2020 and 2024, Quebec ambulance attendants spent an average of half the time they spent in emergency departments waiting for their patients to be taken care of and restoring their vehicles. For almost a quarter of these interventions, the time spent in the emergency department exceeded an hour. Two of the three establishments audited by the auditor also carried out a 'grossly inadequate' number of checks on the quality of interventions carried out by ambulance staff, the report states. Nor does Quebec know whether the sums it pays to ambulance companies are 'reasonable,' given the lack of control. A 'failure in every respect:' opposition The opposition parties in the National Assembly were quick to denounce the bill as in 'shambles.' At a news scrum, Quebec Solidaire MNA Vincent Marissal insisted that life in Trois-Pistoles was just as important as life in the city. 'There are people in Quebec who have no services. (...) It's been going on for years. The government isn't interested. I don't know how many times I've spoken to Health Minister Christian Dubé about it. It's the least of his priorities,' he said. According to Marissal, the government's action plan for the pre-hospital emergency system, which aims to increase the proportion of the Quebec population covered by a first responder service to 80 per cent by 2028, is 'a failure in every respect.' 'We're a long, long way from achieving the results,' he said. 'What we're saying is: 'You live in the regions, you don't have first responders, there's no time to go and get you. If you fall ill, (...) good luck.' That's what we tell people.' Interim Liberal leader Marc Tanguay pointed out that the Health Ministry does not have response time targets for 'very urgent' cases. However, targets do exist for 'non-urgent' and 'urgent' cases. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 22, 2025.
