Monday December 1, 2008
KUALA LUMPUR: The United Nations Pandemic Influenza Contingency (PIC) often uses Malaysia as an example of a country with a comprehensive level of preparedness to face a pandemic, says its senior planning adviser Ian Clarke.
He said that Malaysia was picked as a model to other nations in the Asian region because it had an inclusive preparedness – where the relevant parties successfully formed a cohesive battle unit to fight the pandemic when danger struck.
Clarke spoke to The Star during the world’s first Pandemic Logistics Learning Exercise (P2LX) at the national service camp in Kuala Kubu Baru yesterday.
P2LX, coordinated by the World Food Programme with support from Mercy Malaysia and World Health Organisation, is a training programme to enhance readiness and response when a pandemic strikes.
It had 200 local and foreign participants.
Clarke urged Malaysia to continue being vigilant against pandemics because they would strike in the future as “it is not a question of if, but when.”
“There is a need for public awareness on the risks of an outbreak,” said Clarke.
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