The public health concerns addressed by NEHAP Malaysia's Thematic Working Group 5 (TWG5) on Climate Change, Disaster Readiness and Response are critical, revolving around health risks amplified by extreme weather and shifting climatic conditions.
These threats include the increased frequency of climate-sensitive vector-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria, as rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns expand vector habitats. Furthermore, natural disasters like severe floods cause immediate crises, leading to mass injuries, fatalities, and widespread outbreaks of waterborne diseases (e.g., leptospirosis, cholera) due to compromised infrastructure, alongside a heightened incidence of heat-related illnesses.
Critically, TWG5 also addresses the mental health impacts of disasters, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), necessitating the strengthening of national health system resilience through adaptive strategies like early warning systems and specialized response teams to protect vulnerable populations.