Malaysian Integrated Medical Professionals Association (MIMPA) is moving one step forward in the process of managing disasters in Malaysia. The MIMPA team, lead by Dr Dhesi Baha Raja (President), Dr Nelbon Giloi (Honorary Secretary), Dr Saravana and Dr Indra visited the WHO (Western Pacific Region) by invitation, in order to increase bilateral ties and to even exchange expertise in the event of disaster. The meeting was chaired by the Director Of Emergency Response & security (WHO) Dr Li Ailan. The objective of this visit was to seek help from WHO for the upcoming International Inter-Agency Emergency Response & Preparedness Convention in terms of protocols, sharing past experience and to even promote valid & reliable framework on Emergency Response & Preparedness Plan based on WHO guidelines in the event of disaster.
We took the opportunity to learn about how WHO was handling the devastating Typhoon Haiyan in terms of acute management, maintenance phase, man power and even logistic problems. This learning experience will be beneficial for MIMPA members in the event of disasters in Malaysia. WHO has also agreed to assist MIMPA for the upcoming International Inter-Agency Emergency Response & Preparedness Convention. Empowering the community itself is not sufficient, for that reason MIMPA takes the opportunity to fill in the gap by integrating international and national agencies to promote universal action in any disaster. “Speaking the same language is important in any disaster”.