Everyone has been distressed by the massive loss of life in those countries bordering the Indian Ocean affected by the tsunami. There are now enormous health problems to be faced by those populations.
The Cochrane Collaboration as an international organisation committed to providing good evidence about healthcare, and with many members working in the region, has a moral duty to help.
On 6th January 2005, a telephone conference took place involving some staff of Cochrane Centres with support responsibilities for countries in the region, some members of The Cochrane Collaboration based in the region, and representatives of some entities with special expertise in current and impending health problems in affected countries. The purpose of the telephone conference was to identify ways in which The Cochrane Collaboration could respond meaningfully to the crisis. On the same day a telephone conference of the Executive of the Steering Group also took place. In response to these discussions:
1. The Cochrane Collaboration has made a financial donation to the international aid effort.
2. A message will be sent to Collaborative Review Groups, Fields and other entities asking for advice about which Cochrane reviews are most relevant to current and future healthcare problems in the region.
3. Collaborative Review Groups and Fields will be encouraged to finalise/update important reviews as a priority.
4. Discussions are underway with The Cochrane Collaboration's publishers, John Wiley & Sons, about access to Cochrane reviews within the region.
5. 'Evidence summaries', as produced already by the Infectious Diseases Group, will be prepared and made available for key topics to assist aid agencies.
6. Contributions from The Cochrane Collaboration need to be co-ordinated, and this should be done through the Secretariat. An informal working group is being convened by Mike Clarke to provide advice. Contact with international aid and health agencies will be important, and, as far as possible, this is being co-ordinated through the Secretariat.
Jim Neilson & Kathie Clark
Co-Chairs, Cochrane Collaboration Steering Group
External link to more information: http://www.cochrane.org/docs/asiancrisis.htm.
Contact: The Cochrane Collaboration Secretariat, reviews@cochrane.org
