Guidelines for vulnerability reduction in the design of new health facilities

The experience of several countries shows that it is possible to employ a methodology for the design and construction of new health facilities that is capable not only of ensuring the safety of human lives, as has been the case until now, but of guaranteeing the safety of the investment in the facility and its continued operation as well. Depending on the characteristics of the health network and the economic resources available, it is possible to build health facilities that enjoy a high level of functional and investment protection. While it may not be expected that such facilities will remain intact and fully functional during and immediately following any emergency, it is reasonable to expect them to recover in a short time, and at a reasonable cost. Finally, if resources are limited or natural or technical conditions do not allow it, health facilities can still be built that, confronted with severe natural phenomena, will suffer moderate or even considerable damage without imperiling the lives of their occupants.