AB152. Lived experiences of Filipino healthcare providers deployed in the 2023 earthquake response in Türkiye

Background: Earthquakes are catastrophic events that result in significant loss of life and damage to infrastructure. On February 6, 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Türkiye, prompting the country to declare a Level 4 alarm and call for international aid. As part of the Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent, Filipino healthcare providers were deployed to Türkiye to deliver urgent medical assistance. Despite their contributions, there is a lack of research documenting their experiences. Thus, this study aimed to explore the lived experiences of Filipino healthcare providers during their deployment to Türkiye in the 2023 earthquake response.

Methods: To capture these experiences, the researchers employed a descriptive qualitative design using a phenomenological approach. Six participants from a selected hospital in Pampanga were chosen through purposive sampling and participated in unstructured interviews guided by the grand tour question: “What are your experiences during your deployment in Türkiye last 2023?”. Data collection continued until saturation was reached following Colaizzi’s method. Bracketing and ethical considerations were strictly observed throughout the research process. The study was reviewed and approved by the Angeles University Foundation Ethics Review Committee and underwent a plagiarism scan to ensure academic integrity.

Results: Five major themes emerged: (I) “Trials in Turmoil”—physical, logistical, and emotional challenges faced in a disaster environment; (II) “Crossing Time and Terrains”—adaptation to cultural differences and extreme conditions; (III) “Rising Above Adversity”—demonstrations of resilience and adaptability; (IV) “Compassion in Action”—providing humanitarian care amid crisis; and (V) “From Ground Zero to Global Hero”—professional fulfillment and national pride gained from their service.

Conclusions: The findings revealed that Filipino healthcare providers’ deployment was characterized by significant physical and emotional challenges, alongside profound professional fulfillment and personal growth. Participants demonstrated adaptability, innovation, resilience, and compassion in delivering care under extreme conditions. These findings provide valuable insights for strengthening disaster preparedness, informing policy development, and enhancing psychosocial and operational support systems for healthcare providers engaged in international humanitarian missions.

Keywords: Disaster; earthquake; healthcare providers; humanitarian; Philippines