KUALA TERENGGANU – A total of 680 Terengganu Health Department staff will be mobilised to help flood victims at temporary evacuation centres (PPS) statewide this year.
Its director, Datuk Dr Kasemani Embong, said of the total, 322 personnel will conduct prevention activities and disease control before, during and after the floods at PPS or in flood-affected areas.
She said each team comprises three staff – an assistant environmental health officer, public health assistant and driver.
“Apart from that, another 358 staff will provide health screenings, treatments and referral services in the event of an emergency at PPS.
“They are medical officers, assistant medical officers, trained nurses, community nurses and drivers who are always on standby,” she said in a statement today.
She also added that the state health department would ensure that the flood preparedness in all districts is done meticulously as the country is still battling the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Although Covid-19 cases in Terengganu have shown a downward trend, we cannot be complacent. Compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) must be given priority to curb the spread of the virus in PPS.
“Services provided must be fast, efficient, orderly and effective by giving priority to quality services through the risk assessment concept, and will try to ensure that all flood evacuees are healthy and free from flood-related infectious diseases,” she said.
She said the department will also focus on other aspects such as the preparation of PPS in terms of compliance with SOPs in the placement of flood victims according to risk assessments, including screenings before admission to the centres.
“We have prepared medical and health teams, health facilities, medicine, equipment, ambulances, as well as other logistics.
“Similarly, food management – namely, the preparation of food for flood victims housed in PPS – must be clean and safe to eat, and to ensure there is no spread of Covid-19 or any disease at the centres,” she added. – Bernama, October 20, 2021
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