The Netherlands has more experience with disasters such as those in North Macedonia. And according to Van Zuijlen, that is mainly due to the fire in Volendam. “Disasters always come unexpectedly. We also learned a lot during Volendam, and luckily many things went well. In the meantime, we have been able to draw up a national protocol with burn centers through experience, so that we all know what to do.”
Hard choices to save patients
Treating during disasters such as those in North Macedonia sometimes also means making difficult choices for doctors there, Van Zuijlen explains.
“Sometimes it is decided not to help. A patient is too bad and has less chance of surviving, while another patient is more likely. That is rock hard, but sometimes it is. Such a disaster is not a normal situation. What is happening in North Macedonia, that is a different level of switching. What do you do if you have 150 patients in front of your nose?”