Emergency and disaster preparedness in the zonal hospitals in the Somali Regional State, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Hospital preparedness is essential for effective response to disasters and emergencies. Nevertheless, empirical evidence about hospital disaster preparedness is scarce in most low- and middle-income contexts, including Ethiopia. This study evaluated the degree of emergency and disaster preparedness in general public hospitals in the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional survey was performed from May to July 2023 in four general public hospitals located in the Somali Region. Data was gathered utilizing Module 4 of the WHO Hospital Safety Index checklist, which evaluates emergency and disaster management preparedness across 40 indicators. Results The hospitals assessed demonstrated insufficient preparedness, attaining a moderate score of 45%. The preparedness for emergency and disaster response and recovery was the lowest, at 41.3%, among the seven evaluated domains. Substantial weaknesses were present in essential areas like emergency response planning, logistical readiness, financial administration, and communication systems. Hospitals lacked systematic communication strategies with the public and media during emergencies and failed to keep an inventory of external stakeholders for coordinated response initiatives. Conclusion The findings demonstrate that general hospitals in the Somali Region are moderately equipped to manage emergencies and disasters effectively. Improving hospital systems for disaster management, enhancing communication and coordination, and preparing for logistical and financial issues are imperative. To make the region’s healthcare system more resilient and ready for emergencies, hospital administrators, regional health authorities, and the Federal Ministry of Health must work together.