Chemical emergencies pose a significant and evolving threat to public health, environmental safety, and societal stability, underscoring the need for strengthened national preparedness and response mechanisms. In the present fast growing industrial economy, updating and keeping oneself prepared for any such emergencies is of paramount importance.
As a step towards enhanced preparedness, the Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, along with key senior officials from various line ministries, national agencies, experts from the private sector, industry, and academia, released the modules on Public Health Management of Chemical Emergencies today at Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi.
Development and Content of Training Modules
Three specialized training modules were developed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO India).
The three modules released include:
- Module 1: Preparedness, Surveillance, and Response for Public Health Management of Chemical Emergencies.
- Module 2: Pre-Hospital Management of Chemical Emergencies.
- Module 3: Medical Management of Chemical Emergencies.
Goals for National Health Security
These modules aim to equip public health professionals, healthcare workers, emergency responders, and policymakers with the necessary knowledge, skills, and operational tools for timely and effective management of chemical incidents.
Strengthening chemical emergency management also supports core capacities under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), thereby contributing to both national and global health security. The launch event reaffirmed the commitment toward building a “Self-reliant Resilient Nation,” with attendance from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NDMA, other central government ministries, and the WHO Country Office for India.