PROJECT 098: Strengthening CBRN medical emergency preparedness and response in Southeast Asia

Context

When chemical (C), biological (B), radiological (R) or nuclear (N) incidents occur, whether natural, accidental or deliberate in origin, a diverse group of stakeholders play critical roles in the rapid response to an incident. Each stakeholder, such as law enforcement agencies, emergency-response personnel, and medical experts, have different roles and objectives that at times might not align or are conflicting. Therefore, it is critical that each country has collaborative CBRN multi-hazard medical emergency preparedness and response plans (strategic and operational) and associated capabilities with the primary aim to increase survival and reduce the suffering of victims of CBRN incidents.

Overall objective

To strengthen CBRN medical emergency preparedness and response in Partner Countries in Southeast Asia (SEA) in order to minimise health consequences following CBRN incidents, crises and events.

Specific objectives

1. Increase regional awareness and cooperation among stakeholders about the importance of CBRN medical preparedness, detection, response and related good practices.
2. Enhance competency of national technical personnel involved in CBRN medical response with a focus on a) scene management, b) prehospital medical care, c) hospital medical care, d) emergencies at points of entry.
3. Enhance national technical competency to investigate infectious disease events.

Activities

Phase 1:

1. Kick-off Meeting with national, regional, and international stakeholders to introduce the Project, enhance networking and exchange experience on CBRN medical emergencies.
2. Visits by EU and Regional Expert Team to all SEA Partner Countries to consult on national medical emergency preparedness and response capacity and capability needs.

Phase 2:

1. Preparation of train-the-trainer curricula based on consultation visits with Partner Countries.
2. Regional exercise to raise awareness about CBRN medical response plans and good practices.
3. Conduct tailored national trainings, covering:
   1. Scene management
   2. Prehospital medical care
   3. Hospital medical care
   4. Emergencies at points of entry
4. Support enrolment of 1-2 epidemiologists per Partner Country in regional field epidemiology training programme (FETP) for strengthening epidemiology skills.
5. Closing Meeting with national, regional, and international stakeholders to revisit project outcomes and discuss sustainment and follow-up activities.

Achievements

The Project is at the inception phase.