Medical Response to Radiation Emergencies

The Ministry of Health of the State of Kuwait, with the support of the European Union Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Centres of Excellence (EU CBRN CoE) Regional Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council, successfully organized a comprehensive training course on "Medical Response to Radiation Emergencies." The event, held from June 23-27, 2024, at the Institute of Medical Specialties, aimed to enhance the medical readiness of the State of Kuwait in dealing with radiation emergencies.

The training brought together approximately 100-150 participants, including first responders from the Ministry of Health who are directly responsible for managing casualties in the event of radiation and nuclear (RN) incidents. The skills acquired during this course are set to significantly raise medical preparedness at the national level.

Participants were trained by experts from both the European Union and the Middle East, who were specially trained under the EU CBRN CoE projects 54 and 82, focusing on "Capacity Building for Medical Preparedness and Response to CBRN Incidents." The course featured a mix of theoretical and practical sessions, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.

Theoretical lectures covered essential topics such as the basics of physics, types of radiation accidents, their biological impacts, the nuclear radiation emergency plan for the State of Kuwait, radiation protection management laws, and the use of protective clothing against radiation and pollution. In addition, practical training sessions provided hands-on experience in using radiation-detecting devices, handling Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), removing various types of radioactive contamination, and managing both infected and uninfected cases. Participants also engaged in simulated scenarios of radiation accidents to apply their newly acquired knowledge in a controlled environment.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mundhir Al-Hasawi, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs at the Ministry of Health, stated in his opening remarks that, "This training course is a crucial step in strengthening our national capacity to respond to radiation emergencies. The collaboration with the EU CBRN CoE and the expertise shared by international and regional experts shall equip our responders with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage RN incidents."The opening session was also attended by His Excellency the Chairman of the Gulf Cooperation Council Center for Emergency Management, Brigadier Dr. Rashid Al Marri and directors of departments in the Ministry of Health.

At the conclusion of the training, the Leader of the Organizing Committee, Dr. Hanan Al-Dosari, moderated a panel discussion that hosted officials from various relevant departments related to the National Plan for Radiological and Nuclear Emergency, including the Director of the Medical Emergency Department, Dr. Ahmed Al-Shatti, the Director of the Radiation Protection Department, Professor Elham Al-Fares, and Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Baridi, a representative of the Council of Emergency Medicine Departments, Dr. Banan Al-Saleh, representative of the Kuwait Poison Center, and Ms. Heba Mariey, Regional Coordinator for the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries at UNICRI. The panel discussion provided a platform for sharing insights and discussing strategies for enhancing the State's preparedness for radiation emergencies.

About the EU CBRN CoE Initiative

The European Union (EU) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE) is a global Initiative funded and implemented by the European Union as part of its goal to promote peace, stability and conflict prevention. Aim of the Initiative is to mitigate risks and strengthen an all-hazards security governance in Partner Countries of the EU following a voluntary and demand-driven approach. The EU CBRN CoE is led by the European Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), in close coordination with the European External Action Service (EEAS). The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides technical support to Partner Countries, while the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) ensures a coherent and effective national, regional and international cooperation. The initiative involves 64 countries in 8 regions of the world.