A SPECIAL medical team has begun health surveillance on the 6,000 victims exposed to the chemical waste pollution in Pasir Gudang, Johor almost four months ago, sources said.

The victims are currently being examined by a team from the Health Ministry comprising officers from the Institute for Medical Research and Johor Health Department.

A source told The Malaysian Insight that the team has been tasked to study the effects of the exposure to the chemicals during the incident at a settlement near Sg Kim Kim in February. 

“Symptomatic patients will be given early intervention during the follow-up period.

“Information and various types of data are currently being collected to ensure that a comprehensive and thorough study is conducted,” the source told The Malaysian Insight.

Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad had said that their main focus is the victims who were exposed to the chemicals. 

“When we get an opportunity like this, we must take the chance to follow through and conduct cohort studies.

“What needs to be determined is the long-term impact on the victim, whether the individual is at risk of getting cancer or if it has an effect on the reproductive system,” he said. 

The official said the ministry will ensure that the progress is updated regularly by the team. They started the studies in early April.

The illegal dumping of chemicals in the river caused nearly 6,000 people, mostly pupils, to fall sick. They were treated for inhalation of toxic fumes.

The Department of Environment said 20 tonnes of chemical waste could have been dumped into the river that triggered the environmental and public health crisis.

According to Health Ministry data, the cumulative number of patients reported were 5,039, with 1,228 being warded while 3,811 others given outpatient treatment. Among those warded, 26 cases were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The official said that cases that were admitted to the ICU or High Dependency Unit during the incident were given follow-up appointments with the relevant clinical specialist at regular intervals.

“A total of 182 children were admitted to the hospital and they will be reviewed within one to four months after discharge.

“Patients will then be discharged to the nearest government clinics for long-term follow up.”

During the incident, a total of 111 schools in Pasir Gudang were ordered to shut down after students starting falling ill. The schools were reopened after the term holidays on April 1.

The source said the first victims, who were students from schools located 500m from the incident, were evaluated at regular intervals for any psychological impact using a screening tool known as the Children Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES 8). 

“A CRIES 8 score of 17 or more would require a referral to a Family Medicine Specialist at the nearest health clinic for early intervention or treatment. 

“Home visits to assess the current mental health status of the affected students and their family support system will be carried out by the Mental Health Support Group from the nearest health clinics.”

The source also said that staff from various agencies involved in the disaster management during the incident are seen regularly at the nearest health clinics. 

“Blood samples are taken for laboratory analysis at three, six and 12 months post-incident to ensure that any health effects due to the chemical exposure are detected early.”

As for high-risk cases such as pregnant women, they were given two weekly follow-up appointments. 

There were 14 ante-natal mothers involved, of which eight cases were followed up at Pasir Gudang health clinic, five at Masai and one at Taman Seri Orkid.

Five mothers under the Pasir Gudang health clinic have delivered normal babies since the disaster. – June 1, 2019.