The Union Health Ministry has introduced a set of specialised training modules aimed at strengthening the country’s preparedness and response capacity to handle chemical emergencies effectively.
The modules were officially launched by Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), in the presence of senior officials from various ministries, during an event held at Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi.
Highlighting the growing risks, the Ministry stated that chemical emergencies pose serious threats to public health, environmental safety, and social stability, making it vital to enhance national-level readiness and response systems. “In a rapidly industrialising economy, continuous upskilling and preparedness are crucial to safeguard lives and the environment,” the Ministry noted.
Developed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and with technical support from WHO India, the training package comprises three comprehensive modules:
- Module 1: Focuses on preparedness, surveillance, and response strategies for managing chemical emergencies from a public health perspective.
- Module 2: Covers pre-hospital response, including hazard identification, risk assessment, patient triage, decontamination procedures, and the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Module 3: Deals with in-hospital medical management, encompassing patient triage, decontamination, initial clinical assessment, treatment protocols, and appropriate PPE usage.
With India emerging as a global industrial hub, the risk of accidental chemical exposure is rising. Uncontrolled releases of toxic substances can lead to severe public health crises, long-term health effects, and environmental degradation.
According to the Health Ministry, these modules are designed to empower healthcare professionals, emergency responders, and policymakers with essential knowledge and operational skills for swift and coordinated action during chemical incidents.
The initiative also aligns with India’s commitment to strengthening core capacities under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), thereby enhancing both national and global health security.