Emirates Health Services launches scientific training programme for medical response to hazardous material incidents
The Emirates Health Services (EHS) launched the second scientific training programme for the medical response to hazardous material incidents at its Sharjah Training & Development Center in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and Al Dhanna Hospital, who are strategic partners in developing and facilitating response to hazardous material accidents.
The training programme is the outcome of a memorandum of understanding and cooperation that the Emirates Health Services and ADNOC signed and is in accordance with the national directives to strengthen partnerships in capacity-building to prepare the UAE for a variety of risks and emergencies.
Dr. Issam Al Zarooni, Acting Executive Director of the Medical Services Sector, at the EHS, said the programme is part of a project to improve medical response to hazardous materials incidents at its hospitals, including Al Qassimi Hospital, Al Fujairah Hospital, and Ibrahim Bin Hamad Obaidullah Hospital. He said EHS aims to accomplish a number of objectives such as improving performance efficiency, readiness, and simulation of crises related to biological, chemical, and radiological accidents. This will empower the healthcare sector, and strengthen preventive tools, to reduce risks and enable rapid response in various settings.
Al Zarooni stressed the commitment of EHS to benefit from the international best practices, and to gain more experience that strengthens its leadership. He said it is part of EHS’ efforts to improve the readiness of its health facilities and enhance the capacities of medical personnel, which is key to success.
The training programme covered several examples of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risks and accidents such as "The impact of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) incidents on healthcare facilities", and "Review of the types of radiological monitoring and surveying technologies, and personal protective equipment".
The first day's agenda featured a review of the theme "Major Accident Response Plan and Response Plan for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Incidents", and provided an "Overview of Decontamination". It also highlighted the role of different healthcare providers in CBRNE incidents, as well as outlined specific aspects of CBRNE.
On the second day, several themes were reviewed, including the "Suspicious package and telephone threats", "a field tour of the Mobile Cleansing Unit of the Dhana Hospital MDU, as well as "Clarification of Clinical Cleansing". The review was followed by a discussion about the most significant psychological support issues in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive accidents.
The third day addressed "Early identification of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive materials," as well as "Agents of interest (chemical)", "Screening of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials", "clinical chemical disinfection", "Personal protective equipment and detectors" and "Reference resources, notification and mandatory alert".
The final two days of the training programme focused on "Early recognition of disturbing factors and diseases (deliberate issuance to be notified) (biological)", "Screening of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials and clinical chemical disinfection (biological)", "Reference resources, mandatory notification and alert", "personal protective equipment, detectors and laboratory examinations", "accident medical management" and "acute radiation syndrome".
