The resilience of medical facilities during the Kahramanmaras Earthquake of February 6, 2023

Abstract

On February 6, 2023, a series of earthquakes hit southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria, causing significant damage to buildings and resulting in many casualties. This study aims to assess the impact of this damage on the healthcare services provided by seven hospitals. The research is based on a post-earthquake inspection in the field, seven weeks after the earthquakes. The operational performance of the hospitals varied significantly, with some that were not seismically isolated experiencing total or partial collapse. The study includes government, private, and university hospitals, and aims to connect the damage in buildings, critical systems, and medical functionality with the seismic demands. The discussion includes interviews with the hospital managements and staff members to understand the critical decisions made and possible rehabilitation activities after the earthquake. © 2024 IABSE Congress San Jose 2024: Beyond Structural Engineering in a Changing World - Report. All rights reserved.