November 04, 2021

HSP, KRG Directorates General of Health, Hospitals, and First Responders Counter CBRNE Threats

Around the globe, people are at risk of being involved in a hazardous material accident and for some, these incidents could be an intentional Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or Explosive (#CBRNE) attack.  Preparations for CBRNE events are also like preparing and responding to other mass incidents like COVID-19.

Frontline medical personnel in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq convened online to complete a CBRNE Medical Countermeasures refresher training on October 25th & 26th, 2021.  During this training, 68 participants from public and private systems in Duhok, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah explored appropriate medical countermeasures for patients involved in a CBRNE or hazardous materials incident, along with the application of best practices in response to COVID-19.  

Dr. Abdullah Ibrahim of the Directorate General of Health- Duhok (DGOH) joined Dr. Souzan Eassa of the University of Kurdistan Hewler in this two-day virtual engagement.  Supported by the Director General of Health in Kurdistan, participants called for a unified response protocol among hospitals for interoperability. 

This virtual engagement was the first training in a Hospital Chemical Incident Preparedness series and will be offered on-demand by Kurdish DGOH personnel for professional development and continuing education.