Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Johor State reported Malaysias largest chemical emergency from 7th to 20th March 2019, following illegal dumping of industrial toxic waste into a river. A total of 5,039 students and residents in the area were affected, with 1,228 hospitalised and 26 treated in Intensive Care Units with an incidence rate of 10.8%. No deaths were reported. Following the stand down, an After Action Review (AAR) was conducted to assess the chemical incident preparedness and response and identify strategies for improvement. METHODS: Facilitated focus group discussions among the key responders was undertaken by Ministry of Health to qualitatively review selected actions in response to this significant incident. The aim was to capture the response activities, determine strengths and weaknesses, and document lessons learned. The elements reviewed were coordination and communication, emergency response, laboratory functions, risk communication and case management. RESULTS: The existing Incident Management System functioned in-line with General Guideline on Disaster Management. Major successes were the effective multisectoral coordination, rapid emergency response and efficient patient management. Major challenges included: the chemicals were initially unknown, hence the lack of knowledge of the hazards and risks involved; inadequate use of PPE and decontamination procedures; limited laboratory capacities for testing chemicals; and delayed risk communication. CONCLUSION: The AAR identified strengths and areas that require improvement for better preparedness and response to a chemical emergency. An incident management protocol was developed specifically for handling chemical incidents. This addresses key areas such as information sharing, risk and crisis communication, enhanced laboratory capacities and building human skills through training and exercises.
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@proceedings{APCPH-2019-71,
title = {Largest Acute Chemical Incident in Malaysia, March 2019: Opportunity to Assess the Preparedness and Response Capacity},
author = {Thilaka Chinnayah and Selahuddeen Abdul Aziz and Shaharom NorAzian Che Mat Din and Norasikin Mahdan and Norli Rosli and Faiz Ibrahim and Nabawi Khida and Noor Elliza Othman and Ramizan Harun and Salasiah Ahmad;},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-07-22},
urldate = {2019-07-22},
journal = {6th Asia-Pacific Conference on Public Health 2019 Proceedings},
issue = {6},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Johor State reported Malaysias largest chemical emergency from 7th to 20th March 2019, following illegal dumping of industrial toxic waste into a river. A total of 5,039 students and residents in the area were affected, with 1,228 hospitalised and 26 treated in Intensive Care Units with an incidence rate of 10.8%. No deaths were reported. Following the stand down, an After Action Review (AAR) was conducted to assess the chemical incident preparedness and response and identify strategies for improvement. METHODS: Facilitated focus group discussions among the key responders was undertaken by Ministry of Health to qualitatively review selected actions in response to this significant incident. The aim was to capture the response activities, determine strengths and weaknesses, and document lessons learned. The elements reviewed were coordination and communication, emergency response, laboratory functions, risk communication and case management. RESULTS: The existing Incident Management System functioned in-line with General Guideline on Disaster Management. Major successes were the effective multisectoral coordination, rapid emergency response and efficient patient management. Major challenges included: the chemicals were initially unknown, hence the lack of knowledge of the hazards and risks involved; inadequate use of PPE and decontamination procedures; limited laboratory capacities for testing chemicals; and delayed risk communication. CONCLUSION: The AAR identified strengths and areas that require improvement for better preparedness and response to a chemical emergency. An incident management protocol was developed specifically for handling chemical incidents. This addresses key areas such as information sharing, risk and crisis communication, enhanced laboratory capacities and building human skills through training and exercises.},
note = {Type: ORAL PRESENTATION; Organisation: Johor State Health Department, Ministry of Health Malaysia},
keywords = {After Action Review (AAR), chemical incident, Lessons learned, Mass casualty},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {proceedings}
}